The Pranayama Breathing Technique for Singers & Actors - A Workshop with Dominique Lonchant

The Philharmonic Society of Selangor's Theatre Education Programme is organising a two-session workshop on the Pranayama breathing technique with 'breathing master' Dominique Lonchant. Those who have attended Dominique's sessions have observed marked improvement in singing and vocal projection and breath control (speak to anyone who was involved in Broken Bridges The Musical, Tunku The Musical... )

Do come explore the art of breathing well with Dominique Lonchant!

The workshop consists of 2 two‐hour sessions:
Session 1: Saturday June 14, 2008, 10.00am – 12.00pm
Session 2: Saturday June 21, 2008, 10.00am – 12.00pm

Venue (both sessions):
Studio 5, Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC)

Workshop Fee: RM 180 per participant (for both two‐hour sessions)

Please email selangor.phil@gmail.com to register.

Please see below for information on the workshop facilitator, and the Pranayama technique.

About Dominique Lonchant:

Dominique Lonchant is the man behind the success of many entertainment personalities. Having acquired and mastered the Pranayama Yoga technique (the extension and control of the breath) in Pondicherry, South India almost three decades ago, Dominique has since been travelling around the World and has taught breathing techniques in five continents; India, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, USA, Brazil, Africa, Australia, and Europe.

A French native now based in Kuala Lumpur, Dominique is currently working with artistes in preparation for their plays, shows or musicals. Some of the world‐class celebrities Dominique has taught are Hugh Grant, Elizabeth Hurley, Karen Mulder, John Lone, Leslie Chung, Ursula Andress, Robert Redford and Jim Carrey.

Dominique’s distinctive and efficient style of teaching focuses mainly on the breathing techniques since he feels it is an important aspect that is being overlooked in most Yoga classes. He firmly believes in the immense power and real benefits proper breathing has on any individual of any profession.

“Any form of Yoga begins with the breath. And it is when we understand and master the Art of Breathing that we can achieve whatever we’ve decided to achieve. I have been teaching for more than 28 years and very early on I discovered the benefits of good breathing. Recently I discovered that by mastering these techniques, artistes and athletes (singers, musicians, actors and anyone practicing sport, whether intensively or not) were able to obtain very good results in their own art: tremendous effects on the voice, better practice on wind instruments, and better performance on running, diving, etc,” explains Dominique.

In Malaysia, Dominique has worked in Puteri Gunung Ledang – The Musical. That led him to work on another musical, Broken Bridges, directed by Joe Hasham and produced by Datuk Faridah Merican, in 2006. That resulted in more work with Faridah and the cast of the play Ah Steve, staged in Penang. He has also worked in The Magic Flute, staged at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre.

More on Dominique Lonchant:

Breathe Again – The Star, April 11, 2007:
http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2007/4/11/lifefocus/20070410171341&sec=lifefocus

In blogosphere ‐ Meeting Dominique Lonchant:
http://sushisalmon.blogspot.com/2006/07/meeting‐dominique‐lonchant.html

Launch of Dominique Lonchant’s Book Pranayama – The Art of Breathing Well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KwkFi_wlew

Books by Dominique Lonchant:

1999 The Art of Breathing (Published in Thailand)
2001 L'Art de Respirer (Published in France)
2005 L'ABC de la Respiration (Published in France)
2007 The Art of Breathing Well (Published in Malaysia)

Information on Pranayama, the Art & Science of Breathing

Pranayama is a Sanskrit word that means control (yama) of the life force (prana). It is also commonly used to describe various yogic breathing exercises that help give the practitioner control of the life force, or Pranayama. It was originally expounded by Patanjali, an ancient Hindu philosopher and yogi, in his Yoga Sutras, a text on yoga philosophy and practices.

"Prana" is the life‐force that exists in everything around us in the air, in our food, in all creatures and plants, in absolutely everything. Our ancient ancestors knew about Prana, and they knew our bodies depend upon Prana for vitality in life, and that we receive most of our Prana from the air we breathe. They knew how to control intake and use of this life force by means of breathing control (called Pranayama), incorporating it into their daily life. The way we breathe dictates how much "Prana" we receive, and therefore how alive and vital we are.

Unfortunately, over thousands of years, most of humanity has forgotten this knowledge of how to consciously take in "Prana". The result is most people are shallow breathers, causing many of the negative conditions found in the human bodies today. Many of our physical disturbances, such as asthma, nervous disorders and various allergies are actually caused by some form of respiratory deficiency. The result is often the slow degeneration of bodily functions, according to ancient Indian knowledge, which has been scientifically proven.

When we breathe shallowly, the "Prana" doesn't reach special receptors deep within our lungs. Controlled deep breathing stimulates these inpiratory and expiratory receptors, causing feedback from the lungs to the respiratory centre of the brain. This centre governs not only the inhaling and exhaling of the breath, but the ability to hold the breath in and out. To gain control over this centre is a conscious art of "Pranayama Yoga", the art of breathing.

General Yoga ‐ Yoga is an ancient science of self‐knowledge and understanding. Through many different practices one can directly experience their own essence and goodness. The Tantric philosophy regards everything as sacred and all our experience as that of the Divine experiencing itself. In this way we are all Spirit showing itself in endless variation and beauty. The practice of yoga allows us to cultivate our connection to all the life around us and explore our own unique expression of this life. There is an array of different yoga methods out there, with names like Ananda, Jivamukti, and Kundalini ‐ from the sedentary and introspective to the strenuous, there's a style for everybody.

Breathing Control ‐ Breathing Control covers four major areas and each breathing exercise affects different vital functions:

Abdominal Breathing ‐ The Abdominal Breathing, if done incorrectly, can cause problems with the digestive system, kidneys, liver, piles and blood circulation.

Thoracic Breathing ‐ The thoracic breathing has to do with the cardiac system, and strengthening of the heart.

Clavicular Breathing ‐ The clavicular breathing clears the lymphatic channels under the armpits and helps to prevent breast cancer.

General Breathing ‐ The General Breathing coordinates the other three breathing techniques and allows one to achieve the "Yogic Respiration".

Being able to control one's breathing also results in the control of the emotional state, but for each person, the results will be different. Working with breath is very simple; after the workshop only five to ten minutes practise daily is all that is required. After two months completing all the sessions just once a week will be enough to be able to breathe "naturally". Everybody can do it.