What is Embodima?Embodima™ is a ground-breaking anatomically based teaching tool that uses visual images and gestures to activate complex muscle co-ordinations in the technical training of singers . |
TRAINING THE MUSCLES OF SINGING
The act of singing is highly complex. It involves:
• The coordination of back muscles, lower abdominal muscles, intercostal and thoracic muscles and diaphragm.
• Intricate interactions of 27 intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the larynx, the tongue, the pharynx and the soft palate.
• Use of muscles of jaw, lips, face, shoulders, neck and head, both front and back.
Around 100 muscles are in use when we sing and their coordinations are in a constant state of movement and change.
• The coordination of back muscles, lower abdominal muscles, intercostal and thoracic muscles and diaphragm.
• Intricate interactions of 27 intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the larynx, the tongue, the pharynx and the soft palate.
• Use of muscles of jaw, lips, face, shoulders, neck and head, both front and back.
Around 100 muscles are in use when we sing and their coordinations are in a constant state of movement and change.
How Does it Work?
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Says Nicola: ‘Singing is a complicated internal dance that involves the coordination of around 100 muscles, most of which cannot be controlled individually. Many of the muscles of support have crossover functions such as posture, respiration and movement. These muscles may have to manage several functions simultaneously whilst singing.’
'Embodima TM is the choreography for that internal dance' Individual muscles or groups of muscles cannot be consciously controlled during the very complex activity of singing. So how do we coordinate them? |
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What is Imagery in Singing?
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Nicola explains: ‘We cannot elect to consciously activate the muscles of singing to achieve a particular vocal task. The act of singing itself coordinates these muscles and, for this to take place effectively, gesture-based motor imagery can be used. This prompts the brain to orchestrate the pattern of muscle activity required.’ |
How do we coordinate all these muscles to create a beautiful, healthy sound?
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EMBODIMA™ gestures are used to create mental representations of muscle use. The images can be static, motor or kinaesthetic in origin, but once they are combined, they supply neurological ‘prompts’ to the brain, which then responds with the appropriate muscle coordinations. Simple scientific studies that compare muscle activity before and after instruction using EMBODIMA™ gestures are shown in training. |
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