Week 2 – Arm Stretch
LESSON SUMMARY:
Focused on preparing the upper body for singing, this video teaches a beneficial arm stretch that promotes good posture and breathing. Proper arm positioning, breathing practice, and using a mirror for form are highlighted as crucial techniques.
DAILY ACTIVITIES
Lesson Focus: Arm positioning, posture alignment, rib expansion, and chest openness for better breathing and vocal freedom.
Day 1: Watch & Stretch
Activity:
Learn the arm stretch technique and how it helps with posture, breathing, and overall vocal prep.
What You’ll Do:
- Watch the “Arm Stretch” video.
- Follow along as you reach overhead with relaxed shoulders and deep breaths.
- Feel the rib stretch and posture lift as you breathe in and out twice.
Goal: Connect your arm position and rib expansion to posture and singing readiness.
Day 2: Mirror Check & Form
Activity:
Use a mirror to fine-tune your stretch and alignment for better awareness.
What You’ll Do:
- Perform the arm stretch in front of a mirror.
- Check: Are your shoulders relaxed? Are your arms evenly reaching? Is your neck free of tension?
- Take 2 deep breaths and make a small form correction if needed.
Goal: Build visual awareness of posture to develop muscle memory and self-correction.
Day 3: Stretch + Sing
Activity:
Let’s take the stretch into action and pair it with a singing warm-up.
What You’ll Do:
- Do the full stretch as usual: arms up, ribs lifted, deep breathing.
- On the final exhale, sing a 1-3-5-3-1 (Do Mi Sol Mi Do) humming pattern.
- Focus on keeping your posture tall and relaxed while you sing.
Goal: Practice keeping an aligned upper body during singing to maintain breath flow and tone clarity.
Day 4: Arm Position Awareness
Activity:
Explore how your arms affect your posture in daily activities and during singing.
What You’ll Do:
- Stand or sit and try three positions:
- Arms too far forward
- Arms pulled too far back
- Arms relaxed and neutral at your sides
- Reflect: Which one makes breathing easier? Which one feels balanced?
- Stand or sit and try three positions:
Goal: Recognize and build habits around arm positioning that supports vocal freedom.
Day 5: Combo Drill
Activity:
Combine yesterday’s alignment with today’s stretch in a focused warm-up.
What You’ll Do:
- Do the stretch while keeping arms in ideal position after lowering.
- While standing tall, try singing two short phrases or scales.
- Focus on whether your breath feels easier and if your shoulders stay relaxed.
Goal: Reinforce correct posture during singing without tension creeping back in.
Day 6: Posture Check-in Challenge
Activity:
Let’s test your awareness throughout the day!
What You’ll Do:
- Pick three moments during the day to pause and check your posture (e.g., while sitting, standing, or singing).
- Do a quick stretch to reset, then breathe and stand tall.
- Journal or mentally note: What changed when you reset your posture?
Goal: Develop consistent awareness of posture outside of formal practice time.
Day 7: Stretch Recap + Self-Reflection
Activity:
Reflect on how your stretch and posture work has influenced your singing and breathing.
What You’ll Do:
- Do the full stretch routine.
- Sing a short song or melody you’ve practiced before — this time with full posture awareness.
- Reflect: What’s easier now? What feels different?
Goal: Notice how alignment and arm positioning support vocal ease and confidence.
This video is all about getting your arms and upper body ready for singing. You’ll learn an awesome arm stretch that helps you stand or sit tall, which is super important for good singing posture.
What You’ll Learn
- Proper Arm Positioning: Discover how your arms can affect your posture and why it’s important to keep them in the right spot. If your arms are too far forward or back, it can mess up your posture!
- Stretching Exercise: Follow along with a simple stretch where you raise your arms overhead, elongating your spine. This helps you feel a nice stretch in your ribs and opens up your chest, making it easier to breathe.
- Breathing Practice: During the stretch, you’ll practice taking deep breaths, which is great for singing.
- Using a Mirror: Try doing the stretch in front of a mirror to check your form. The mirror helps you see if you’re doing it right.
- Posture Importance: Learn why having a good posture is essential not just for looking confident but also for making singing easier.
By the end of the video, you’ll feel more aligned and ready to sing with less effort.
Instructor: Meghan
Meghan McCall is an experienced singer-actor, who has been described by The Washington Post as having “bell-like clarity and fine control” and “a radiant full-bodied voice.”
She has performed all over the world, including performances at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and more. In addition, her film roles have been featured on major networks such as NBC, Discovery Channel, and Lifetime.
Throughout her performing career, Meghan has helped many clients find their voice – whether for public speaking, singing on stage, or just for recreation.