BIM Q&A | How to Add Music to Enscape
Abdominal Breathing
Abdominal breathing is the foundation of proper singing technique, often referred to as “singing with the dantian.” Many people tend to breathe using their chest cavity, which causes visible rising and falling of the chest during inhalation and exhalation. In contrast, if you observe how babies breathe, you will notice they primarily use abdominal breathing.
Babies’ cries are loud and powerful because abdominal breathing lowers air pressure, allowing for a greater intake of air and providing more space for the body to resonate sound. Practicing abdominal breathing is straightforward and involves two main steps:
- Getting accustomed to breathing using the abdomen rather than the chest.
- Learning how to retain qi (breath energy) within the body.
Although the concept of keeping qi might seem abstract, there are simple techniques to help you practice effectively. Before singing, spend about 3 to 5 minutes on breathing exercises. Inhale deeply, directing the air into your stomach, and observe your abdomen rising and falling clearly. Hold the breath in your abdomen for approximately ten seconds, then exhale slowly, aiming to prolong the exhalation as much as possible.
During this exercise, you can also use gentle force to expel the last bit of breath, practicing two methods of breath control. Over time, this routine helps you naturally adopt abdominal breathing while stabilizing breath control.
Remember to relax your body throughout the practice. You may also press your abdomen gently with one hand to ensure you engage your dantian effectively.
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