Voice Disorders: Impact, Stigma & Healing Through Mindfulness

2024-01-21

This episode discusses voice disorders, their impact on singers and voice users, the stigma around having a vocal injury, and how mindfulness can help with healing. Catherine is a singer, adjunct voice instructor, mindfulness teacher and researcher. She holds a graduate certificate in Applied Mindfulness and she offers online meditation courses specifically designed for singers and people with voice disorders. Catherine recently completed a study (which was published in The Journal of Voice) to determine whether an 8-week m...

This episode discusses voice disorders, their impact on singers and voice users, the stigma around having a vocal injury, and how mindfulness can help with healing.

Catherine is a singer, adjunct voice instructor, mindfulness teacher and researcher. She holds a graduate certificate in Applied Mindfulness and she offers online meditation courses specifically designed for singers and people with voice disorders.

Catherine recently completed a study (which was published in The Journal of Voice) to determine whether an 8-week mindfulness course could increase mindfulness and lower stress levels in people with voice disorders. She shares with us the details and outcomes of the study. She also reveals that mindfulness doesn't have to be complicated and that practices can be customized to how your brain works.

00:00:03 - Introduction to the Podcast
00:00:14 - Discussing Voice Disorders and Mindfulness
00:00:36 - Introducing Guest Catherine Kay Brown
00:01:08 - Mindfulness in Voice Therapy
00:01:37 - Catherine's Personal Vocal Injury Story
00:04:06 - The Healing Journey and Mindfulness
00:07:55 - Pursuing Mindfulness Teaching and Research
00:09:30 - Stigma Around Vocal Injury
00:10:04 - Advocating for Singers with Voice Disorders
00:12:02 - Comparing Singers to Athletes
00:12:43 - The Multifactorial Nature of Voice Disorders
00:13:05 - Voice Training and Mindfulness Resources
00:14:06 - Defining Mindfulness
00:15:07 - Research on Mindfulness and Voice Disorders
00:17:09 - Emotional Impact of Voice Disorders
00:18:15 - Results of the Mindfulness Study
00:19:10 - Significance of the Study's Findings
00:21:17 - Acceptance and Mindfulness
00:22:43 - Group Dynamics in Mindfulness Practice
00:24:09 - Practical Mindfulness for Singers
00:25:08 - Sharing Personal Stories in Mindfulness Course
00:26:02 - Addressing Stress, Tension, Isolation, and Grief
00:30:03 - Mindfulness Practice and Training
00:33:19 - Mindfulness as a Skill
00:37:21 - Tips for Successful Mindfulness Practice
00:38:03 - Meditation and Mindfulness Misconceptions
00:40:00 - Mindfulness Practice Recommendations
00:42:26 - The Importance of Mindfulness Practice
00:44:19 - Mindfulness Resources and Courses
00:46:09 - Mindfulness Meditations for Sale