Posture

Posture

As an actor it is very important to be relaxed on stage. Having good posture is key to an actor. Good posture allows you optimum use of your voice and increases your stage presence. The alignment of the spine affects your voice production because the spin is connected to the diaphragm therefore it is important your body free of tension and to practice exercises which keep the spine supple and active to enable improved posture and to free the natural voice.

 

There are exercises that help with posture such as the Alexander technique and yoga. Both of these allow you to have a great voice as an actor. The exercise is to lie on your back with your knees up and close your eyes. By closing your eyes it helps you relax your body. You should put a pillow under your head to help with the alignment of the spine. Then listen to yourself breathing and try not to change the pattern of your breathing. This will help you relax. If it helps to put relaxing music feel free to do this is it will put you in the mind set of a relaxed atmosphere. Then imagine the breath travel through every part of your body. The arms, the legs, the head etc. Feel warm inside your body. After this you should tense every part of your body for 10 seconds and relax and repeat this process three times. After this process you should start to feel that your voice is clear and posture is improved. When I did the Alexander technique I felt that my hips were going through the floor.

James Kinney says “in order to arrive at good posture, you should set up positive thought patterns about it. Avoid the temptation to move on to more interesting areas of vocal instruction, leaving alignment and tensional faults to fend for themselves”.

The Alexander technique is a method that works to change (movement) everyday habits in everyday activities. It is a simple but practical method for improves the ease and freedom of movement, balance, support and coordination. The technique teaches you the right amount of effect that you should put on an everyday activity. This gives more energy for your other activities. The technique is not a treatment or exercise it is a re-education of the mind and body. The Alexander technique is a method that helps a person discover a new balance in the body by releasing unnecessary tension. It can be applied to sitting down, standing lying down, walking, lifting and other daily activities.

As an actor the alexander technique is a way of improving the alignment in the spine which therefore helps the voice to be better and improved.