Breath support question

 Hello everyone!

I'm beginner and have a question about this, when they mention that we need to keep the abdomen and ribcage expanded for support. I cannot relax and do it at the same time. It's like my brain needs to concentrate extra on mantaining the muscles expanded so I tense up! Please help :(

And another question, ¿how much is too much expansion on the belly? Is it good to expand it as much as possible?

Thank you!

Hi, 

When you are feeling tense on your breathing maybe try sitting straight, relax your shoulders, and then when you are trying to concentrate on your breathing maybe try taking your hand and putting it on your stomach and try closing your eyes so you can concentrate more, and then your breathing will get better. I hope this helps you.

Good question! We want the belly to relax, but we don't need it to expand "as much as possible". In fact, that may result in more air than we can actually use! It's more important to me that you relax on your inhale and maintain good posture as you sing, than that you maintain that expansion (especially if that's causing you to tense). For the time being, just focus on keeping your posture tall, staying relaxed, and eventually you can add that rib expansion to the list as well.