Speech Maintenance and Cognitive Wellness Class Three with Coach Valeria

Enhance Your Voice and Memory with Engaging Exercises

Materials: Chair, drinking water, optional water cup with a straw.

  • Posture Setup:
    • Feet flat on the floor.
    • Weight evenly distributed.
    • Shoulders aligned with ears; head positioned straight.

Warm-Up Exercises

  1. Upper Body Loosening:
    • Roll shoulders backward and forward.
    • Swing arms and stretch neck by turning to each side.
  2. Breathing Focus:
    • Hand on chest, another on belly; ensure the belly moves during inhalation.
    • Inhale deeply and exhale slowly through the mouth.
  3. Jaw and Voice Activation:
    • Perform wide-mouth chewing motions in both directions.
    • Add humming with lips closed, feeling vibrations in lips or sinuses.

Vocal Exercises

  1. Straw Voicing:
    • Blow bubbles into a water cup with a straw or mimic the motion without water.
    • Add voice and practice pitch glides ("hills and valleys").
  2. Ah Sound Training:
    • Take a deep breath and hold a loud "Ah" sound for 10 seconds.
    • Repeat for vocal clarity and strength.
  3. Pitch Glides:
    • Glide from a comfortable pitch to a high note and return.
    • Perform 10 rounds with strong, clear voice projection.

Engaging Memory Activities

  1. Fill-in-the-Blank Sentences:
    • Respond to prompts about personal preferences (e.g., color, books/movies, tea/coffee).
  2. Object Memory Game:
    • Remember four items (e.g., spoon, screwdriver, lemon, candle) revealed during the session.
    • Recall them later using memory strategies like visualization or association.

Reflection & Cool-Down

  • Reflect on how posture, breathing, and vocal exercises enhance clarity and focus.
  • Practice a yawn-and-sigh exercise: open wide into a yawn and release tension with a sigh.
End with strong, clear speech and carry it into your daily life!

Key takeaways

  • Proper posture and breathing are essential for a strong voice.
  • Combining vocal exercises with memory activities sharpens focus.
  • Using props like straws and visualization boosts exercise effectiveness.

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