Table of Contents

Foreword xi
Author’s Note xiii
Preface xv
Acknowledgments xxv
Voice of the Monkey Boy: A Parable 1
Chapter 1: Vocal Power 5
What Is Vocal Power? 8
The Vocal Awareness Method 10
What Are the Benefits? 14
How Long Does It Take to Learn? 15
Can You Really Achieve Empowerment ThroughYour Voice? 18
Taking the Next Step 23
Chapter 2: Common Vocal andCommunication Challenges 25
The Fear of Public Speaking 27
Are You Hiding Behind Your Habits? 30
The Fear of Abandonment 33
The Fear of Ownership 37
Your Life—the Hero’s Journey 40
Taking the Next Step 43
Chapter 3: Learning the FundamentalTechniques 45
Learning the Fundamentals 46
The 7 Empowerment Rituals 51
Taking the Next Step 64
Chapter 4: The Daily Vocal AwarenessWorkout 65
Preparing for a Vocal Awareness Workout:Gathering Tools 67
The Vocal Awareness Workout Exercises:The Three Aspects 70
Basic Elements of Movement and Sound 72
The First Aspect: The Warm-Up 74
The Second Aspect: The Bridge 84
The Third Aspect: The Performance 89
Designing Your Daily Practice: 7 Minutes for 7 Days 90A 7-Minute Workout 91
Customizing Your Daily Routine 92
The Vocal Power Journey 93
Taking the Next Step 99
Chapter 5: Health Benefits of Vocal Power 101
Understanding Our Voice 102
Improving Health: What Is Ailing Us? 103
Reducing Jaw Tension 105
Reducing Tongue Tension 106
Raising Your Endorphin Levels 107
Basic Vocal Hygiene 107
Psychomotor Conditions 116
A Final Thought on Health Challenges 119
Chapter 6: The Importance of Body Language 121
Addressing Your Challenges: Standing or Sittingin Stature 125
Vocal Awareness Reminders 131
Greetings Matter 132
Your Grooming 135
Taking the Next Step 136
Chapter 7: Believe in Your Self 139
Taking Ownership of Every Verbal Encounter 141
Getting Ready for Your Defining Moment 147
Uniting Timing, Talent, and Tenacity 150
Confronting Your “Demons” 154
Integration and Self-Mastery 158
Claiming Your Self 161
Taking the Next Step to Mastery 162
Chapter 8: Singing: The Power and thePleasure 163
There Is No Such Thing as “Tone Deafness” 164
Why Do Some People Sound Better Than Others? 167
Singing Is an Emotional Gateway 168
The Spiritual Qualities of Song 170
Vocal Awareness Differs from Other Kinds ofSinging Lessons 171
The Vocal Awareness Singing Workout 173
The First Aspect: The Singing Warm-Up 175
The Second Aspect: The Singing Bridge 178
The Third Aspect: The Singing Performance 183
Guidelines for Singing Lessons 184
Singing Is for Everyone 184
Chapter 9: Going Deeper: Breathing into . . . 187
Epilogue 193
Index 197

About the Author

Arthur Samuel Joseph is the founder and chairman of the Vocal Awareness Institute and creator of the Vocal Awareness Method for achieving personal empowerment and Communication Mastery through voice.