Dear Students:
During my younger years, I spoke with a very high pitched voice that seemed to give people permission to imitate it. I wasn’t sure if these imitators wanted to purposely undermine me but I was sure that it hurt my feelings every time. These interactions happened so often that I quickly learned to act like it didn’t bother me.
One day when I was working as an aide at a physical therapy clinic, I was helping a woman with exercises, when another aide asked me a question. After I answered him he repeated my words in an exaggerated squeaky manner. The woman I was working with immediately reprimanded him for making fun of me. She told him that she was a Voice Teacher and that to tease someone for the sound of their vocals was very rude and was a form of ridicule.
At that moment, I was in awe of this Voice Teacher. Without hesitating she was able to see that this co-worker was treating me unkindly and stood up for me when I couldn’t stand up for myself. Until then, I wasn’t even aware that mocking was mean-spirited and that I could confront the impersonators about it. This moment of awareness was the beginning of finding my own voice in tonality and in the ability to speak up for myself.
Soon after this, I entered my four year training to become a Feldenkrais 
Practitioner and my tone of speech changed. I began to organize my entire self differently. I believe, because the depth of my breathing expanded and the muscle tension around my abdominals and buttocks lessened, my tone of voice could explore lower octaves. It took me many years to recognize this because it happened gradually and organically. It wasn’t until I met a girl who vocalized similarly to my younger self that I realized people had stopped imitating me years before.
The Voice Teacher helped me to identify disrespect and how to speak up about it. This pivotal moment, along with Feldenkrais teaching me how to grow my movement & behavioral repertoire, has given me a new ability to confront and question others. Because of current situations, I am given regular opportunities to practice using my voice in ways I previously was not capable of. I am tremendously grateful for this when the lines have blurred for many, as to how to morally treat a fellow neighbor. Fortunately, each time I express how I wish to be treated, my delivery becomes more graceful and less stress inducing.
What I have found is that when I address individuals about their negative conduct, it gives them a possibility to become aware. Any type of awareness is a gift even if one doesn’t appreciate it at the time. Those that can receive these presents, can self reflect and use it as a catalyst to change for the better.
May you find awareness from unexpected sources that inspire you to improve your social interactions, during these trying times. The video I have included above, is a nice way to explore moving your diaphragm in unique ways to help you find the range of your voice. Peace to all on Earth!
~Donna
F.Y.I.: To learn how to fight for your innate rights against forced vaccines, testing, and other trespasses read Our Innate Rights and/or to find out about products that can help electromagnetic sensitivity click here.