If you grew up with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), you may already think of your body in terms of qi, balance and the organs working together. You might drink warm water before you sing, or avoid cold drinks before a performance.
TCM has its own way of looking at the voice. In this article, we’ll look at how TCM sees the voice, the five meridians most closely linked to singing, and a simple Jin Shin Jyutsu® self-help for each one.
How TCM sees the voice
In TCM, your voice depends on qi, the energy that moves through your body along pathways called meridians. When qi flows freely, the voice tends to feel easy and full. When it’s weak or blocked, the voice can feel thin, tight or tired.
Two organ systems are especially important:
- The Lungs govern breath and qi. In TCM, a strong, clear voice is often a sign of healthy Lung qi.
- The Kidneys are seen as the root of qi. They help “grasp” the breath, giving the voice depth and support.
Other meridians shape the voice too. Some pass through the throat, and some are linked to the feelings that can tighten it.
The five meridians most linked to singing
Lung meridian: breath and the sound of your voice
The Lungs govern breathing and open into the nose. When Lung energy is out of balance, you might notice shallow breath, a weak voice or a runny nose. In TCM, sadness and grief are also linked to the Lungs.
Self-help: hold your ring finger. In Jin Shin Jyutsu, the ring finger is linked to the Lung and Large Intestine energies, and holding it helps harmonise them.
Kidney meridian: support and the throat
The Kidney meridian runs up through the body to the throat and the root of the tongue. In TCM, the Kidneys support deep breath and are linked to fear. Many singers notice their throat tightening and their breath rising when they feel afraid.
Self-help: hold your index finger. In Jin Shin Jyutsu, the index finger is linked to the Kidney and Bladder energies, and holding it helps harmonise them.
Spleen and Stomach meridians: energy and stamina
The Spleen and Stomach turn food into qi, so they’re linked to your energy and stamina. The Stomach meridian also passes through the throat. In TCM, worry and overthinking are linked to the Spleen.
Self-help: hold your thumb. In Jin Shin Jyutsu, the thumb is linked to the Stomach and Spleen energies, and holding it helps harmonise them.
Liver meridian: smooth flow and the “lump in the throat”
The Liver keeps qi flowing smoothly. When Liver qi gets stuck, TCM describes a feeling like a plum stone stuck in the throat. Many singers know this feeling well. In TCM, anger and frustration are linked to the Liver.
Self-help: hold your middle finger. In Jin Shin Jyutsu, the middle finger is linked to the Liver and Gall Bladder energies, and holding it helps harmonise them.
Heart meridian: expression
In TCM, the tongue is the “opening” of the Heart, so the Heart is linked to speech and expression. When the Heart is settled, it’s easier to sing from the heart. In Jin Shin Jyutsu, the little finger is also linked to “trying-to”, which means pushing too hard.
Self-help: hold your little finger. In Jin Shin Jyutsu, the little finger is linked to the Heart and Small Intestine energies, and holding it helps harmonise them.
How to do the self-help
Wrap the fingers of one hand gently around one finger of the other hand, and hold it for a few minutes, or for as long as feels comfortable. You can do it anytime, anywhere: on the bus, before a lesson, or backstage. There’s no need to focus on your breath, your body or the finger. Simply holding the finger is what matters.
A quick guide for singers
| If you notice… | TCM link | Self-help |
|---|---|---|
| Shallow breath, a weak voice or a runny nose | Lung | Ring finger |
| Fear, or a throat that tightens under pressure | Kidney | Index finger |
| Worry, low energy or tiring easily | Spleen and Stomach | Thumb |
| A “lump in the throat”, frustration | Liver | Middle finger |
| Pushing too hard, or difficulty expressing yourself | Heart | Little finger |
How Jin Shin Voice® and NeuroVoice® fit together
At Vocalogy, these self-help practices are part of Jin Shin Voice®, the approach I developed from functional voice training and Jin Shin Jyutsu®.
TCM and Jin Shin Jyutsu look at the body’s energy pathways. NeuroVoice®, our brain-based approach, looks at how your brain organises movement. It uses short drills to help your brain sense where your body is, settle your nervous system and coordinate tasks like pitching and register changes. Together, they give a fuller picture of what’s happening when you sing.
What self-help can’t do
Jin Shin Jyutsu self-help supports your voice training, but it isn’t medical treatment. If your voice stays hoarse, painful or changes suddenly, please see an ENT doctor. For your general health, speak to your doctor or a registered TCM physician.
Your next step
- Try the self-help for your voice: my book, Harmony Is in Your Hands, explains the five feelings, the fingers and the SING Check in detail. Get the PDF for S$4.99
- Learn it in person: book a 1:1 session or join a small-group workshop.