Fortunately, I have always played a lot of sports, so I keep my lungs in good shape. That translates to singing as well.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Singing really oxygenates your blood. You stretch your lungs and take in much more air into them than before. It's really good for your health.
I always feel I sing better if I have been playing a lot of tennis or football.
It's like a runner or a swimmer training all the time. I sing every day.
I'm an asthmatic. I have to be on that treadmill singing to get my lungs right.
I try to frighten my very young colleagues into studying and understanding their voices before they attempt things that are beyond them. It's wise to take gymnastics and swimming to strengthen the body, because people don't realise what an athletic undertaking singing actually is.
I've never really focused on if I had good habits when I sang or if I had bad habits, or if I was breathing correctly. So, I started doing vocal exercises and would stretch out before I sang, stuff to help my breathing. It's funny, you breathe your whole life then you find out you're not doing it correctly.
You've got to find ways to breathe while you're dancing so that when it comes time for you to stop and sing again, you have it. To prepare, I do a lot of aerobic activity. Many times at the gym, people will look at me because I'll be on the treadmill humming.
Truly to sing, that is a different breath.
An athlete learns how to hold her breath, but that doesn't work in singing. You have to learn to relax.
If you don't ever stop singing, your voice stays in shape. It's like the marathon runner. You've got to run, run, run to stay in shape.