3 Tips to Communicate from the Heart

Music is the universal language of mankind.

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

This post can benefit musicians and non-musicians alike.  This is for those who value authentic communication and presentation. Each Tip has a “Kid’s Corner” Exercise to match.

Hi, Lifesong Friends!

What a quote.  Musicians, in general, are awesome communicators.  We’re eloquent, deep, creative, and tend to not be afraid of crowds. But even musicians can get caught up in the “what will people think of me” vortex when we’re presenting our craft.  I have three tips for you today to help you begin to speak, sing, write, and/or play … your truth.

1) Relaxation and Alignment

When you’re expressing musically or non-musically, pay attention to any tension in your body.  Sit or stand up straight so that you are able to freely bobble your head like one of those bobble-head dolls.  Close your eyes, tense, and relax each part of your body, just as if you were about to experience a guided meditation.  One place we often breeze over is the face.  Your tongue, jaw, and eyebrows tend to hide a lot of unseen tension.  Massaging your face helps you to be more conscious of those particular tensions.

Kids’ Corner: Guide your child through a body relaxation.  If you have a baby, lightly massage each part of his or her body.  For kids with language skills, ask them to think about their favorite thing and ask them to let each body part be nice and calm.

2) Express Gently

“Gently” does not necessarily mean that you have to be as quiet as a mouse.  Let your music, conversation, or speech flow without over-thinking.  In two weeks, I’m going to write a whole post on expressing gently with some amazing exercises that have helped me immensely, so check back!

Kids Corner:

Ooh, kids LOVE butterflies.  I ask my girls and my students to breathe and speak as if there was a sweet butterfly on their nose.

3) Don’t Express to Impress

Any judgement of your own communication and others’ needs to be put in an imaginary bubble and blown away.  You have so much value, and you can’t give of your value if fears, doubts, and judgements are in the way.  Love the beauty of what you’re giving. Talk and make music for a higher reason.  Once you reach a certain level of consciousness, you’ll be able to feel your sound waves throughout your entire body.

Kid’s Corner:

One of the best things you can do for your kids in this case is to model speaking from the heart.  Listen non-judgementally when they speak to you.  Remain gently engaged.  Tell them that who they are and what they say matters, no matter how young.

Thanks for reading!  What kind of exercises do you do before speaking, writing, or making music?  I’d love to hear from you!  Leave a comment below to share.

Love,