As a student of voice – or a future student of voice — surely you already understand the significance of breathing for your singing. Control of your lungs and your diaphragm is crucial to singing correctly, and to controlling your voice in a healthy, sustainable way. These are important tactics you learn through voice lessons with your vocal teacher.

Strengthening your lungs is a great way to augment your vocal practices. Much like a swimmer or a runner, you want your lungs to be mighty fighters. You want to be able to fill your lungs to maximum capacity, and you want to be able to hold your breath for long stretches easily.

Here are a few quick, simple exercises for those lovely lungs of yours.

Exercise A: The Circle of Threes

#1. Breathe in through your nose, while counting to three slowly.

#2. When your lungs are full, hold there, again while counting to three slowly.

#3. Breathe out through your mouth, while counting to three slowly.

#4. When your lungs are empty, hold there, again while counting to three slowly.

Repeat this cycle at least five times. Total count is to twelve for each cycle. Three in, three hold, three out, three hold.

Exercise B: Back Breathing

#1. Lay on the ground, ideally on top of a blanket, towel, or yoga mat

#2. Keep your back straight, with your lower back against the floor and your hands at your side. Bend your knees. The soles of your feet are pressed against the ground, and your knees are elevated.

#3. Breathe in through your nose, deeply, while slowly counting to five

#4. Breathe out through your nose, deeply, while slowly counting to five

Repeat the cycle at least three times.