Let Your Body Speak First
How your posture, breath and micro-movements shape a voice that lands
Body Language is Your First Language
Have you forgotten? Before words, it is your body that speaks.
When we are newborns, our first form of communication is our breath, our primal cry. Our bodies express our mood, energy and intention even before we utter a word. Consider the difference between someone who bounds onto the stage with great enthusiasm and someone who steps on quietly, deliberately and with a sense of grounding. That contrast speaks volumes.
Your voice and body are inseparable. So when your shoulders are tense, your jaw is locked and your posture is hunched, your voice will lack resonance, stamina and truth. Sound familiar? Sitting at a desk all day has the same effect. The solution is to reclaim awareness of your posture and movement. Small shifts, such as rolling your shoulders or shifting your weight, engage your core muscles, free your breath and recharge your vocal energy.
Anatomy of Your Voice (and how it creates a unity with the rest of your body)
Speaking is a whole-body activity. These three systems must work together:
The respiratory system:
The spine and rib cage form the structure that houses your diaphragm and lungs. They control exhalation and drive airflow through the windpipe (trachea).
The phonatory system (the ‚voice box‘)
The larynx, often referred to as the voice box, is located at the top of the windpipe. It protects the airway and houses the vocal folds, also known as vocal cords. These folds vibrate when air pressure opens and closes the space between them (called glottis), converting the air into sound waves, your raw ‚voiced sound‘.
The resonatory system (vocal tract):
The throat (pharynx), mouth and nasal passages act as resonators, shaping and amplifying the voice to produce its unique tone. Think of it like a resonating chamber, e.g. a church or concert hall, which provides the best audio experience. The tongue, palate and lips then articulate the words.
So far, this is purely biological. However, posture, alignment, nervous system states and movement also directly influence these systems. Good posture increases lung capacity and prevents fatigue. When you’re grounded and breathing steadily, your parasympathetic nervous system calms your nerves, both physically and emotionally. A study of embodied communication training showed reduced heart rates, lower cortisol levels and increased confidence when speaking in public (Picanço Marchand et al., 2024, PubMed).
When the body leads, the voice is free.
3 Ways to Reconnect Your Body and Voice
- Ground your stance
Stand with your feet hip-width apart and your knees softly unlocked. You can do this barefoot or in flats. Roll your shoulders back. Feel your feet in contact with the floor. As you ground yourself, your breathing will naturally become deeper. This creates a stable base for airflow and enables your voice to rise with ease. - Embrace micro-movements
Small gestures, such as rolling your shoulders, nodding occasionally, or shifting your weight, release tension, activate your core, and free your diaphragm. These subtle movements restore breath flow and help preserve vocal energy. - Warm up actively
A few minutes of humming, lip buzzing or gentle sighs will awaken your breath-body connection. These simple rituals prepare your vocal folds for vibration and help your breathing to find its rhythm without forcing or overthinking.
A gentle reminder:
Don’t try to control your breathing; just observe it. The more you tune into your body, the more naturally your breathing will become. It’s not about doing more; it’s about allowing. Your body knows what to do. You’re simply giving it the space it needs to function well.
By reconnecting your body and voice, you will speak with depth, clarity, and presence, rather than just words. You’ll have more stamina, feel energised and truly deliver your message. Try The 5-Minute Wake Up Your Voice Ritual and let me know how you get on. I’d love to know!
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Quick Wins For Your Voice
Start simple. Start powerful.
Try my Wake Up Your Voice ritual: a free 5-minute practice to get your voice ready and calm any nerves.
Quick Wins For Your Voice
Start simple. Start powerful.
Try my Wake Up Your Voice ritual: a free 5-minute practice to get your voice ready and calm any nerves.