Reflections on clinical applications of yoga in voice therapy with MTD

Abstract

This paper explores the application of modified yoga techniques, as an adjunct to voice therapy, by a speech pathologist who is also a yoga teacher.

Yoga practices, with effects that may be short-term, are not considered a substitute for comprehensive and integrated somatic retraining systems (such as the Alexander Technique or Feldenkrais ATM). However, when yoga is conducted emphasizing kinaesthetic and proprioceptive awareness, the client may achieve an ‘awareness state’ that facilitates the learning of vocal remediation techniques (for example, by more easily ‘tuning in’ to the subtle sensations of supralaryngeal deconstriction). Core yoga elements and clinical applications are identified. The potential benefits and considerations when using yoga as an adjunct to the treatment of muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) are explored.

Key words::

• arousal states
• breathing
• kinaesthetic awareness
• motor learning
• MTD
• voice therapy
• well-being
• yoga

Acknowledgements

I wish to acknowledge and thank Dr. Katherine Reid (Speech Pathologist) and Mr Kieran Riordan (Psychologist) for their valuable feedback and support in the preparation of this manuscript. I also with to express gratitude to the reviewers for their guidance.

Declaration of interest: The author reports no conflicts of interest.

Forum Editor's comment:

It should be stressed that, in the interests of patient safety, it is inadvisable for voice clinicians to use yoga techniques with voice disordered patients unless they are qualified yoga instructors. In addition, even if they are qualified yoga instructors, they should establish whether or not their professional indemnity insurance remains valid if yoga techniques are used in the treatment of voice disordered patients.