Buteyko Breathing for Singers
Has breathing has never quite made sense in your singing?
Some singers breeze through breathing exercises and seem to “get it” straight away.
For others, breathing has always felt confusing, effortful, or just not right- even when teachers explain it clearly.
If breathing feels unpredictable, tight, or overwhelming when you sing, you’re not alone. And it’s not a flaw in your technique — it’s usually a sign that your underlying breathing patterns need attention.
This is where Buteyko Breathing for Singers comes in.
What is Buteyko Breathing?
Buteyko is a gentle, clinically recognised method used to reduce ‘over-breathing,’ calm the nervous system, and restore efficient breathing patterns.
It’s widely used to support people with asthma, anxiety, dysfunctional breathing, and breathlessness — but very rarely applied specifically to singing.
That’s where my work is different.
I help singers understand why breathing feels difficult, and how to finally build a breathing foundation that supports healthy, confident singing- not fights against it.
Who this approach helps most
This page is especially for singers who:
feel breathless even in simple phrases
take big breaths that make everything tighter
never “got” the typical belly-rib breathing instructions
feel overwhelmed, anxious or confused when thinking about their breath
have asthma or a history of breath dysregulation
notice that their inhale destabilises their throat or jaw
struggle with consistency- some days fine, some days impossible
If any of this feels familiar, Buteyko can make a profound difference. A Discovery Call is the best place to explore whether this approach is right for you.
Book a Discovery Call here.
How Buteyko supports your singing
A regulated breath does more than support airflow. It affects:
the overall ease of singing
reduced tension in the throat, jaw, or tongue
more stamina and less vocal fatigue
a sound that feels more like you- warmer, clearer, steadier
more confidence when performing
faster recovery after singing
a more natural vibrato
the ability to choose when your sound is breathy (or not)
more control over sound colour
more consistency from day to day
When your breathing works with your voice instead of against it, singing becomes far easier- and far more enjoyable.
My approach
I blend:
contemporary voice technique
Vocal Habilitation Professional training
Buteyko breathing
tongue-tie awareness
nervous system regulation
my own lived experience of retraining my breath after years of dysregulation
This means you’re not just learning “how to breathe for singing.”
You’re understanding the whole system behind why breathing has felt confusing- and how to rebuild it gently, safely, and sustainably.
If you'd like to read about my own experience with this method, here’s my blog on how Buteyko Breathing supported my singing.
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No- they support different things.
Traditional breathing exercises focus on how you breathe when singing.
Buteyko focuses on how you breathe the rest of the time.
When your baseline breathing becomes calmer and more efficient, singing becomes easier and singing technique is more intuitive. -
Not at all.
Many singers don’t realise their everyday breathing is could be improved until we assess it. If you feel breathless, tight, overwhelmed, or inconsistent when singing, Buteyko can help. -
Usually, yes- but indirectly.
Slower, deeper breathing often leads to clearer tone, steadier vibrato, easier vocal fold closure, less breathiness, and more consistency. -
Yes. It can be very powerful!
Tongue tie often leads to less efficient breathing habits.
Buteyko gently retrains these, and my own tongue-tie journey shapes the way I guide singers through this process. -
Most singers feel a difference within the first week- usually a more grounded feeling when singing.
Longer-lasting change builds with gentle consistency over time. -
Little and often is ideal.
Most exercises take 1–3 minutes and can be woven into daily life. Consistency matters more than the amount of time spent. -
No- it complements them.
Buteyko improves the foundation (breathing and regulation).
Technique develops the skills (sound, style, vocal ability).
Together, they create the most sustainable progress. -
Absolutely.
Sessions are tailored to what you need most that day - sometimes breathing, sometimes singing, often both. The goal is to support your voice in the way that feels most effective and manageable. -
Yes- many singers feel this way.
Buteyko is gentle, quiet, and designed to regulate the nervous system rather than overwhelm it. We go at a pace that feels safe, not stressful. -
If breathing feels confusing, inconsistent, effortful, or unpredictable when you sing, you’re likely a good fit.
If you’re unsure, joining the interest list or chatting on a discovery call is an easy next step with no pressure.
Interested?
Coming Soon: Buteyko Breathing for Singers – 6-Week Group Programme
In 2026 I’ll be running the first cohort of a structured 6-week programme designed specifically for singers who:
have asthma, anxiety, or over-breathing patterns
feel lost or frustrated with standard breathing instruction
want a calmer, more reliable breath for singing
want to finally understand their body’s natural breathing mechanism
If you’d like to be the first to hear when enrolment opens, join the interest list below.
Join the Interest List
Be the first to receive updates, early access, and pre-launch pricing.
Need support sooner?
Book a Discovery Call if you’d like to explore 1:1 support or talk through your breathing challenges in more detail.