Find Your Authentic Voice: Mind-Body Connection
I hear these sentiments frequently in the coaching I do with professionals: many want to find their authentic voice or connect more deeply with the way they sound.
You probably know that a lot of people aren’t happy with the way they sound, especially on recordings — and you might even be one.
The advice I offer focuses mostly on voice, not speech or accent. Your voice breathes life into your words, helping your message resonate with others. This remarkable instrument is unique to you, revealing your inner world — thoughts, feelings, and ideas — broadcasting them outward.
You are not a talking head.
A common mistake is focusing more on listening to your voice than feeling it. One thing I tell my clients is, “Put your brain in your belly.” When you do, your voice gains depth and soul. Confident voices have body, just like good wines do.
It’s a challenge to keep our attention in the body when our head loves to distract us. People who speak as if they are only listening to their voice often have flat, fast speech. They’re usually expending energy judging how they sound rather than connecting with their message.
Go here to learn more about Vocal Presence.
The Mind-Body-Voice Connection
Many people have not made the mind-body-voice connection. When they understand how the body feeds the voice, they can access the confident, powerful voice they were born with.
Neuroscience shows that our sense of self is anchored in a vital connection with our bodies. The truth is closer to: “I think — and feel; therefore I am.”
Turn off the inner microphone.
Turn off the inner microphone in your head. Pay attention to your body to feel your voice instead. Feeling your voice takes you to the part of your body that creates sound, giving you more control over how you produce it.
Focusing only on listening in your head limits your attention for hearing others and disconnects you from the world. You also can’t hear yourself accurately because of bone vs. air conduction. Putting attention into your body gives enough feedback to speak with confidence and power.
A fully vibrating body produces a fully alive voice. Your voice should not sound like it’s coming from a hole in your head. When your voice is connected to your body and carried by your life force — your breath — the words you send out carry something uniquely meaningful.
Take Action
If you’d like some exercises to help connect your voice to your body, feel free to reach out for guidance and tips. There are simple steps you can take to find a voice that resonates naturally, with depth and confidence.
To you and your uniquely resonant voice,
“The best style is the style you don’t notice.” — Somerset Maugham
I’m Judith Weinman, a certified speech-language therapist and a proud member of ASHA. If you would like some exercises to help you connect your voice to your body, send me a note. There are simple steps you can take to help you find a voice that resonates uniquely, with depth and a natural, inner confidence.