For some years now I have been exploring the nature of the “sacred voice.”

This concept is not new, and it is certainly not mine. It is an aspect of our Self that I believe we all, at some deep level, are called to express in our lives, on this earthly plane, for some very purposeful reason.

At the everyday, mundane, get-up-and-go-to-work level, it can seem quite elusive. The pursuit of this soul-fueled creative voice can truly seem untouchable, or fickle. Sometimes it seems to tease us into believing that maybe, just maybe, my voice is truly worthy of expressing something sacred? And then it seems quite the opposite.

Well, I can say with certainty that our voice is not a trickster. Sacredness is inherent, it is constant, it is… Truth. What is not constant is our capacity to hold space for the power of our sacredness.

What does that mean in terms of our voice? How does that affect our singing practice?

It comes down to feeling capable, steady, and trusting.

I want to share one of my most essential teachings with you:

Most singers tend to believe that they are not capable enough, so they doubt themselves and lose trust in their voice.

But the reality is that singers have not learned how to harness and trust the intense, powerful energy of their voice and fully access their sacredness.

What does it mean to hold space for the true power of your voice?

It means to become a vessel for your voice. To allow your voice to flow through you freely, without hindrance from ego and fear.

Here is the process broken down:

1) Acknowledge your sacred nature.
2) Become aware of the force of energy moving through you. The vehicle is the breath.
3) Allow the movement of this breath energy to be constant and free-flowing.

Let’s be really clear here: I know this is not as easy as it sounds. Your throat might be scratchy, or you are tense, or you are scared, or any distraction may abound to throw you off-track. You may have deep-seated, subconscious fears that hinder you. This is normal and to be expected. But it is not permanent. It is not truth.

Ultimately, our practice is to allow the full expression of our voice even when we doubt our capacity. Even when we are unsure.

When you allow this expression, when you have the courage and will to allow this powerful force to move through you unhindered, something miraculous happens.

You will become a magus. 

You will be transformed from one who does not believe they can, to one who knows they can, and does. You become the vessel of this powerful energy moving through you. And you discover that your voice, in its inherent sacredness, is innately capable.

When you feel capable, you will trust your voice.

The next time you feel yourself halt, or pull back, or flinch, or become tense, take a moment to recognize why that might be. Ask yourself:

What powerful force am I resisting right now?
Why am I resisting?
What would happen if I let my resistance down in this one moment?

If you can remove your resistance, even in one small, everyday moment, you will allow for some of the greatest breakthroughs in your practice. I call them mini-miracles. These teeny-tiny “awarenesses” are the building blocks of your transformation. Please do not discount them. Indeed, rely on them!

If I can shift your perspective in any way, I want you to know this:

Not feeling capable does not mean that anything is wrong with your voice. Indeed, I would posit that there is something so deeply powerful that is trying to move through you, and it is scary as hell.

But your voice is not meant to be controlled. It is meant to be released.

It is your very own sacredness in sound. It is a gift, my friend, for you to give to the world. Even a teensy little bit at a time is worth its weight in gold.

Hugs,

allison