AROUND THE BODY in 12 INSTALLMENTS for Vocalists

Each monthly video includes physical exercises, a master class with Ruth, and an explanation of the underlying pedagogy. The videos are broken up into manageable segments, so it's easy to find specific exercises later.

The 20-30 minute exercise sequence component is the same as in the regular "Around the Body in 12 Installments" subscription. This option is for those vocalists interested in learning the science behind the exercises and in watching Ruth apply the exercises to singing and speaking.

Each 45-60 minute video has three components:

• 20-30 minutes of exercises, designed specfically to address a specific body issue (the exercises appear as individual segments, so it's easy to find a specific exercise later).
• 5-10 minutes of pedagogy, as Ruth explains the science informing the exercises
• 10-20 minutes of vocal instruction -- watch Ruth apply the concepts and exercises to individual singers in their own repertoire.

A new video each month, stored right here in your personal library for you to use whenever you want! 

Each month, you receive a video targeting a particular body issue. By the end of the year, you will have covered the entire body. Learn exercises to improve alignment, core support, and much more.

This video series is targeted for vocalists. The series begins with foundational exercises, and the sequence of the videos is carefully designed to build your awareness, flexibility, and strength. Topics follow the schedule below.

 "I never experienced so much ease or joy when singing until working with Ruth. The videos have an open, supportive working environment, the work is simple to understand and easy to implement… and the results are dramatic and seem to work for everyone! Ruth's tools and tips are easy to remember and use in practice later — and you can watch the video again whenever you want. I highly recommend this work to performers of all kinds — you will be amazed at your effortless improvement!    — Katie Zaffrann, AEA; New York, NY 

When you make a purchase, you'll activate your account with the "Sign up for free" button on the checkout page. All your videos remain stored in your library, in one convenient location, so you can refer to previous videos whenever you want to refresh and deepen your understanding of the exercises. It's like a Neflix account, but without the monthly fee!

Subscriptions begin on the date of your purchase, beginning with Video 1 and continuing in sequence. To view your videos after purchase, choose "My Library" from the menu at the top of the page.

 VIDEO 1: Feet and Legs--the Foundation of Your Performing Body  ---   Feet and legs provide support for both the body and the breath. Learn Ruth's unique exercises specifically designed to release overworking muscles, strengthen underworking muscles, and engage your feet and legs optimally, resulting in improved posture, alignment, and stability.

VIDEO 2: Alignment and Posture   ---   See and feel immediate changes in power, ease, and consistency with improved alignment and postural support. Exercises address postural issues such as: forward head position, drooping shoulders, collapsed chest, pronation/supination, and hyperextension (swayback). 

VIDEO 3: Jaw   ---   Jaw release and movement is affected not only by the jaw itself, but also by the feet, pelvis, and head. Misplaced jaw tension is linked to many vocal and physical problems, including headaches and TMJS (Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome). In this video, alignment exercises and massage techniques (including intraoral massage) promote jaw release and freedom of movement. Innovative usage exercises teach you to apply those new habits to speaking and singing.

VIDEO 4: Tongue   ---   Misplaced tongue tension affectos not only articulation but also neck tension and breathing. In this video, release and massage maneuvers (including intraoral massage), as well as innovative usage exercises, create a more flexible and responsive tongue. Muscles addressed include the hyoglossus and genioglossus. 

VIDEO 5: Core Support   ---   Exercises improve strength and coordination of the core support muscles in the body, resulting in power without misplaced tension and pushing--what Ruth calls "effortless effort." Only when you access the power of your core support optimally can misplaced tension in other areas such as tongue, jaw or neck fully release.

VIDEO 6: Pelvic Powerhouse--the Seat of Your Power   ---   The position of the pelvis affects your ability to access the "pelvic powerhouse," particularly the pelvic floor--the foundation of core support. In this video, simple exercises teach you to access and engage both the pelvis and the pelvic floor, leading to improved breath, power, and resonance. 

VIDEO 7: Connecting Core Support and the Pelvic Powerhouse to the Whole Body  ---  When you connect your core strength and pelvic powerhouse to your whole body, every syllable--from the quietest and calmest to the loudest and most intense--becomes both easier and more powerful. Larn to use your core strength and pelvic coordination optimally, connecting all that power to your voice.

VIDEO 8: Whole Body Breath   ---   Every physical activity--including sleeping--involves the breath. When your breath is optimal, everything else becomes simpler. However, It takes your whole body to support your optimal performance; breathing optimally requires coordinating and engaging muscles all over the body. Learn to engage your optimal breath without holding misplaced tension. The exercises in this video teach optimal skeletal support and msucle engagement because it takes your whole body to support your whole voice. 

VIDEO 9: Spine and Rib Cage  ---  A healthy spine is, literally, the "backbone" of an optimally functioning body. First, learn to release the tension you are holding in the muscles of the rib cage. Then, exercises for strength and improved engagement of the muscles of the spine improve posture and create support for the rib cage. Releasing misplaced tension and “holding” in the spine and rib cage creates freedom and expansion in the breath, while also improving power and consistency. 

VIDEO 10: Shoulder Girdle --- Misplaced tension in the upper back, shoulders, and arms can compromise our voices. A tight shoulder girdle also affects the spine and ribcage, impeding proper breathing and flexibility. In this video, exercises release long-held, "crunchy" tension in the shoulder blades and joins, and create flexible movement between the shoulder girdle and the upper ribcage, allowing more freedom in the neck and throat. 

VIDEO 11: Head and Neck, including "TEXT NECK"   ---   Our daily phone and computer habits take a toll on the muscles of our neck, and we have come to accept neck pain as "normal," Instead, leaarn to support your head properly, with both skeletal and muscular support. Proper alignment of the head affects the upper back, shoulders, jaw, larynx, and vocal tract. In this video, both releasing and strengthening exercises are employed to improve structural support in the neck, relieving pain and improving posture and alignment, head position, and resonance.

VIDEO 12: Vocalizing With Your Whole Body: Creating Your Optimal Physical & Vocal Warmup Routine   ---   Synthesizing the information in Videos 1-11, this video teaches a global awareness of how our skeletal and muscular systems interact in optimal movement and vocalization. A holisitic look at engaging your body more efficiently and with less stress when you speak and sing. 

VIDEO 13: Going Deeper --- Your subscription continues with a deeper look at each of these body issues and more.