When you’re nervous or stressed out and you can’t calm yourself down, taking a deep breath is maybe the most common advice you’ll get (maybe even from yourself!). And it can make a difference. But the experiences of my students make me think that it’s not always as effective as we think it is.

Why is that? Often it’s because the image of a deep breath we have in our minds makes a lot of noise and tightens a lot of muscles, but doesn’t actually move that much air into our lungs. The actual softening and opening of the airway, lungs, and torso that go into a deep inhalation can be very counter-intuitive. I want to straighten out some misconceptions about how to take a deep breath, and share some techniques to help your body AND your mind let go of tension so you can use your breathing to its full potential.

Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California.

Yes, you can sound better! Opt-in for a free video training on my website: https://mvmusik.com

A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-52. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email [email protected]. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.

Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.

The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.