Comments on: Vocal Health: The Most Important Nutrient For Your Voice

By: Bluesy

Bluesy — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:44:15 +0000

Not to be funny or anything, but maybe that's my problem. I always handed in a math test blank. I don't get math. If someone had asked me why, I WOULD have told them, but instead they just stopped giving it to me. 🙁

By: Judy

Judy — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:25:20 +0000

About "hot yoga"… I have never done it but have students who do. I think you just need to notice how and for how long it causes dehydration. It may also be affecting your breath… you may be too fatigued physically to power your voice from the low big muscles and be letting your chest close in on your diaphragm. You need to ingest enough water for your vocal cords a day or two before singing. It makes sense to me that you wouldn't be able to make up for it right after heavy exercise, but you might try drinking more the days before and between your yoga routines. I would also think it best if you don't do hot yoga every day! Try other solutions such as not doing the yoga routine as long as you have been.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:41:10 +0000

What do you think about Bikram yoga? It is the hot yoga. I used to love it, but then noticed difficulty singing so I quit. I decided it was dehydration, even though I was drinking a TON of water after class. I just couldn't redydrate enough to sing well. I do miss it, though. Do you think it is possible to practice Bikram Yoga and have healthy cords?

By: Judy

Judy — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:41:39 +0000

You are absolutely right, Kim. I added fresh veg juice especially.

By: Kim Rushing

Kim Rushing — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:41:18 +0000

fresh fruits and veg contain water too:-)

By: Judy

Judy — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:40:52 +0000

Thanks, Wally love your feedback about weight being affected by water consumption. And yes… head voice requires the thinning and lengthening of the cords only possible with adequate hydration. I also forgot to mention that it thins mucous which can coat and weigh down and irritate the cords, getting in the way of good adduction (closure of the cords). And PJ… I love your comment because I wrote this post for the very reason that I hoped it would make somebody get up and go drink a glass after reading it!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 02:46:35 +0000

Hi, Judy. This is Wally.
First, notice that I remembered to respond on the actual blog, and not on FaceBook? LoL

One reason this blog entry of yours is interesting to me is how it mentioned that we will falsely interpret insufficient water supply as hunger.

Oddly enough, I started a diet last week... lost 8 pounds in that week, by the way.
One tip that I had latched onto, from a dietary standpoint alone, was how someone can drink a bunch of water before a meal, and end up eating less.

Well, I found that part to be true.
Then, incidentally, I noticed by the 2nd night of increased water intake that my voice was much smoother. More flexible, if that makes sense?

My kids each ask me, seperately, to sing various things at night as they fall asleep.
You mentioned how your concotion of water and the pineapple juice even allowed for "head voice" singing. Bingo!

(I didn't use pineapple, but the water did allow for more access to my head tones)

The head voice is what I rely on most, when trying to relax my kiddos. My wife says it reminds her a lot of Vince Gill's singing.

Blah blah blah...
my point is, your post about water is very, very true. I can attest to it from experience.

Great post, Judy.

Wally