Everything but the Larynx: Hanna Somatics-Informed Voice Therapy
Dan Sherwood 4-27-2025
Discover a holistic approach to voice therapy that goes beyond traditional methods. This presentation explores how integrating Hanna Somatics principles can transform how we treat voice disorders and enhance vocal performance. Voice problems affect millions, from professional singers to schoolteachers to everyday communicators, impacting quality of life, social interactions, and career prospects.
Understanding who is at risk and how these issues manifest can help us develop more effective interventions. We'll delve into the intricate world of voice production, examining the anatomical and physiological systems that work in harmony to create sound. You'll gain insights into what constitutes a healthy larynx, optimal voicing techniques, and a brief overview of common voice impairments.
But we'll diverge from the conventional wisdom: "voice" begins before any sound is heard. Our somatic approach considers the entire body as the vocal instrument, treating the macro to influence the micro. We'll explore how Hanna Somatics principles and techniques can be applied in the voice therapy room to release tension, improve breath support, and ultimately free the voice.
This interactive session will include practical demonstrations and hands-on explorations of movements designed to liberate the body, breath, and voice. You'll leave with a fresh perspective on voice therapy and tangible tools to enhance your practice or personal vocal journey. Join us for an eye-opening presentation that enhances traditional notions of voice therapy and offers a more comprehensive, body-aware approach to achieving vocal excellence.
Dan Sherwood, MS/CCC-SP, is a clinical vocologist who has been helping people with voice and breathing problems for 25 years. He received his Master’s in speech pathology from Marquette University and did his clinical fellowship in Milwaukee, WI. He received his vocology certification from the National Center for Voice and Speech 2003. Since then, he has worked at academic voice centers at three institutions, including the Voice and Swallow Center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, the Johns Hopkins Voice Center in Baltimore, and the Duke Voice Care Center in North Carolina. Dan completed his training in Hanna Somatics in 2012 as part of wave 13. He incorporates this work and his training in Associative Awareness TechniqueTM and Optimal Breathing® into a holistic approach to vocal therapy.
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