In previous blog posts, we have discussed preparation for public speaking and managing stage fright. This time, we will focus on different techniques and exercises for warming up the vocal apparatus before a performance.

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1. Relaxing the Body

Exercises for relaxing the body can help reduce tension that may affect the voice. Include simple stretching exercises, neck and head rotations, and breathing exercises. Focus on deep diaphragmatic breathing (you can place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen to help guide this exercise). Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Continue deep breathing until you feel the tension leaving your body.

Breathing can also activate the lungs, and one exercise that helps with this is alternate nostril breathing:

First, close your right nostril and inhale deeply through your left nostril. Then close your left nostril and exhale through your right nostril. Close your left nostril again and repeat the process. Repeat the entire exercise several times.

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Exercises for relaxing the body can help reduce tension that may affect the voice. Include simple stretching exercises, neck and head rotations, and breathing exercises. Focus on deep diaphragmatic breathing (you can place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen to help guide this exercise). Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth.

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2. Breathing Exercises

During a performance, our thoughts sometimes race ahead of our body, causing us to forget proper breathing techniques. To prevent this, good content preparation is important, but you can also use breathing exercises during your preparation. Here are a few suggestions:

• pulsing the word "HA" at a moderate volume;
• soft laughter using the word "HA";
• a strong inhale, slowly exhaled while pronouncing the letter "S".

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3. Diaphragm Exercises

It is beneficial to activate the diaphragm before a speaking engagement. Suggested exercises:

• intense pronunciation of the sounds F, S, T, and SH;
• intense pronunciation of the syllables DA, DE, DI, DO, DU;
• intense pronunciation of the syllables GA, GE, GI, GO, GU;
• intense pronunciation of the syllables JA, JE, JI, JO, JU.

4. Voice Exercises

Various exercises can help activate the voice:

• lip trills (like a buzzing bee);
• tongue trills (similar to lip trills but involving the tongue);
• prolonged formation of the sound "AAAAA".

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5. Articulation Exercises

Various exercises can improve articulation:

• pronouncing vowels;
• cleaning teeth with the tip of the tongue;
• rapid counting to 100 in a half-whisper;
• repeating tongue twisters (e.g., "she sells seashells by the seashore").

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6. Care for the Voice

In addition to warming up the vocal cords, proper care for the vocal apparatus is also important before giving a speech. This can be achieved by staying adequately hydrated; it's recommended to drink only water before the performance and avoid irritants such as coffee and alcohol, which can dry out the throat.

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Various exercises can improve articulation:

• pronouncing vowels;
• cleaning teeth with the tip of the tongue;
• rapid counting to 100 in a half-whisper;
• repeating tongue twisters (e.g., "she sells seashells by the seashore").

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