January/February 2001 Living Now
"Breathe In...Sing Out!" Finding One?s Own Song
by Vivianne LaRivière
There was a time in my life, when my singing voice was reduced
to five notes. I croaked - couldn’t carry a tune, let alone
express myself with full song as in my formative years, and believed
that I would probably never sing again…
Then, about 12 years ago, I was working in a dark, sultry underground
café. On one particular afternoon, one of the locals had shared
a song and passed me the guitar. I gasped. I had an audience, something
that I had not experienced for many years. Something greater than
myself reached out for the guitar and dusted the cobwebs off my
vocal cords. I shared a song that I had written a decade past about
the potential hazards of life on the streets for a young girl.
I hope I never forget that moment. Aside from the reaction I received
from those listening, I was approached by someone willing to help
me with whatever I needed to get to the place that I was suppose
to be. This was a turning point and definitely one of the highpoints
of my road to recovery.
I sought a vocal coach who could revive my fledging ‘vocal
child’ …I was looking for mentors to help me assimilate
the musical information that was deep within my self. I became increasingly
frustrated with their expectations of what I should sound like.
I started to work on my own, pampering my voice, nurturing it and
seeing, listening, discovering the abode of each and every note
that existed in my system. I struggled with ego and I often was
drenched with self-pity, victimizing my voice, shaming my voice,
and refusing to care for my ‘gift’. As my recovery process
continued, I found myself expressing my issues in song, my perception
of the world, love and self-love. I remember the day I surrendered
and ‘breathed’. I had come to the point where I not only
accepted my voice; I loved my voice. I had integrated my voice into
my identity, discovering the Yin and Yang of my songline in accompaniment
of other instruments.
Years of witnessing nothing short of miracles, has led to the development
my own method of teaching that enhances and improves one’s
breathing activity and voice - speaking and/or singing. I refer
to as ‘Imexism’ and demonstrate it in a series
of workshops, “Breathe In, …Sing
Out!” It is designed for experiencing
the breath as the center of our being, and recognizing and experiencing
internal, external and eternal influences on our breath. The teachings
of the Medicine Wheel contributed to the development of Imexism
along with a variety of spiritual influences, like the Alexander
Technique, Tai Chi and Yoga. The ultimate experience, using Imexism,
is the discovery of ‘one’s own song.’
‘Without breath there is no life’
The classes begin with looking at poor breathing habits and trapped
tensions in the body that are affecting breathing. Everyone has
a voice. We help liberate the voice and the breath, delivering more
oxygen, better blood flow and better overall health. Improved projection
is achieved, and ultimately an improvement of self-esteem.
“Breathe In, …Sing Out!” will help
those participating achieve a better understand of their breath,
their voice, and the results achievable by adapting to a few new
ideas. Cedar Mountain Drums will be sponsoring
a “Breathe In, …Sing Out!” four-week continuation course
on February 1, 8, 15 and 22, 7-9 p.m.
Vivianne LaRivière, the instructor,
is a professional singer/songwriter,
(CD “Notes after the Rainstorm”) teacher, producer,
and music industry consultant. For information on the course call
Vivianne at Cedar Mountain Drums, (503) 235-6345