Hint: they’re not the same!
–Alexandra Plattos
Ok, I want to talk about posture. I’ve been told I have 500 words, so let’s get started…
To clear things up first, there’s a big difference between posture and poise. I lied earlier, I actually want to talk about poise.
The main difference between the two terms is that posture is a rigid state, whereas poise is a fluid state. THIS IS A BIG DIFFERENCE, so reread that sentence.
Before we dig in, let’s define some elements of good poise:
- Grounded feeling with vertical motion
- Feet hip-width apart (standing)
- Loose knees
- Knees leading (walking)
- Wide back
- Shoulders down and back
- Open and flexible chest
- Aligned head to pelvis
Why is poise important to singing?
First off, it’s important for overall health in general – it’s about finding ways for the body to work and function in the most efficient manner. Once we do that, we’ll have fewer body aches, better sleep, increased energy, etc.
Poise is important to singing for the same reasons – we must set up the instrument in the proper way for it to function best. Imagine a clarinet…
There’s a bell, three middle joints, and the mouthpiece. The instrument wouldn’t work so well if I neglected to include the mouthpiece, right? Same thing happens with the voice when we’re not aligned. If our head is far in front of our shoulders, our chest is collapsed, and our shoulders slumped, we cut off part of our instrument! – we neglect to use the ‘mouthpiece.’
We all just watched two weeks of elite athletes competing on the world’s stage – this is a great place to see great poise (and even some not-so-great poise). Let’s take a look:
Have you seen this runner? Allyson Felix – she’s amazing, as is her alignment and vertical motion as she runs. As she’s in a full-on sprint, she still keeps her:
- shoulders back and down
- head up and in-line with her shoulders to pelvis
- and she’s not only moving forward but she has motion lifting her up and keeping her grounded.
Let’s look at another example:
These ladies, also amazing. However, their position in this photo is better suited for a gymnastics wave than singing. We see that they are grounded with lots of vertical motion, but they often let their rib cage lift away creating a sway in the back, which as I mentioned earlier throws alignment out of whack.
Great, now what?
Take a look at yourself – grab a glimpse in a store window as you walk by, have a friend take a picture of you, or ask your teaching during your lessons, and notice what your poise looks like. Where are your feet, pelvis, shoulders, head…. Does it look like any of the figures below when you’re standing? How about when you’re walking, or carrying a heavy bag?
When your body is aligned, and your instrument set-up correctly, then you can find more physical and emotional freedom, which is pertinent for singers!
Want to take the next step?
We love Alexander Technique here are The Voice Lab. Our good friend Jeremy Cohn is an AT teacher at Freedom in Motion Chicago. Give him a call and tell him that Alexandra and Liz at The Voice Lab sent you.
