Episode 307 – Singing and the Yips

Singing is a beautiful art. It brings us joy and can be an incredibly freeing experience. But for some singers, singing can become a source of extreme anxiety. For those unfortunate enough to experience this type of performance anxiety, it's known as "the yips."

In this episode of The Intelligent Vocalist with John Henny, he explores the mechanics behind "yipping" and what singers can do to overcome their performance anxiety. By developing sound strategies for managing what is happening when experiencing it, singers can regain their confidence on stage and stay true to their passion for music.

Imagine having the time of your life. You are about to perform a song you've been practicing for the past couple of months. You consider yourself well-prepared. You're wearing the most appropriate attire anyone could wear for the performance. You were well rested the night prior. Nothing's going to go wrong, right?

But then, all of a sudden, your throat tightens, your heart races, and you can't seem to remember the lyrics to the chorus. You try to calm yourself down and recollect the lyrics, but you can't. You feel like there's a brain interference going on, making you forget the lyrics of the song you've spent a long time trying to master.

This is what it feels like to experience the yips. The yips, also known as performance anxiety, is a phenomenon that affects many singers and performers. An intense feeling of fear and stress can cause singers to forget their lyrics, lose their breath, or even freeze up on stage.

In golf, the term "yips" is frequently used to describe a player's sudden muscle spasms and inability to execute particular complex movements or sequences. The yips is a condition that can afflict golfers, causing them to lose control of their shots and have a bad game. It is typically associated with the feeling of nervousness or anxiety. Basically, something that you repeatedly do suddenly becomes challenging.

There is no one definitive cause of the yips. Many experts believe it is psychological, caused by nerves or anxiety. Others think it may be related to a physical issue, such as a change in the grip or an injury.

The yips can be highly frustrating for golfers, as they can cause them to lose control of their game because of poor performance. Some golfers can overcome the yips, while others find managing challenging. Various treatments have been found to be helpful for managing the yips, including relaxation techniques and hypnosis.

The yips is a nervous condition that can affect athletes, musicians, and other performers. It is characterized by a sudden, involuntary movement or sound that disrupts the flow of the performance as if their motor skills were dysfunctional. The yips can be extremely frustrating and debilitating, preventing people from being able to do the things they love.

For singers, the yips can manifest as a loss of vocal control, pitch problems, or an inability to produce sound. These symptoms can be extremely discouraging and make it challenging to enjoy singing. However, it is essential to remember that the yips are an actual condition that affects many people.

John recalls a conversation he had with a person who was close to a well-known Broadway performer. This Broadway performer was in a popular show, and one night as he was performing one of his routines, he cracked on a particular note. It wasn't a big deal, but the next night when he cracked on that same note once more. The yips started.

Now that the performer was overanalyzing the note and fretting about it. He started to crack on that note repeatedly. Thankfully he overcame it. So, this is where we can see that overcoming yips is an achievable goal.

Most singers experience some form of stage fright or performance anxiety at one point or another in their careers. For some, this feeling of nerves can be so debilitating it interferes with their ability to perform to the best of their abilities. With that, John shared a few tricks singers can use to overcome the yips and get back on track with their performances.

The yips are a frustrating and often debilitating condition that can affect singers of all levels. While the exact cause of the yips is unknown, you can think any of the following might be causing your yips. You can then just discontinue them and see if your condition improves. Some people experience yips because they have or do at least one of the following:

• Performance anxiety: If you're constantly worried about messing up or being judged, it's no wonder you can't focus on singing. Try to relax, enjoy yourself while performing, and don't take yourself too seriously.
• Negative self-talk: It will be hard to succeed if you're constantly putting yourself down. Feed your mind with positive thoughts, start encouraging yourself more, and believe in your ability to improve.
• Unhealthy vocal habits: If you're straining your voice or singing incorrectly, it's no surprise you're having trouble. Ensure you're using the proper technique and taking care of your voice.
• Poor rehearsal habits: If you're not adequately preparing for performances, it's only natural that you'll be more likely to make mistakes. Ensure you're taking the time to warm up properly and review your material before the stage.

You're probably your own worst critic. When it comes to singing, this can be a recipe for disaster. Over-criticizing yourself can lead to the yips when you freeze up or make mistakes due to performance anxiety. It's easy to get caught up in the details and start picking apart your performance, but this can quickly lead to a downward spiral of negative thinking.

To avoid the yips, try to focus on the positive aspects of your singing. Don't dwell on the negative elements unless you're willing to do something about it, or you'll only end up making yourself more anxious. Instead, you can just focus on enjoying the music and the act of singing itself. If you make a mistake, don't beat yourself up over it.

Singing is one of the most enjoyable activities that people can do. It can be a great way to relax and unwind after a long day or to get pumped up for an upcoming event. However, singing can also be a source of anxiety for some people. This is especially true for those who suffer from the yips, causing singers to lose their voice mid-performance.

This can be incredibly embarrassing and frustrating, especially if it happens in front of an audience. There are a few different theories about what causes the yips. Still, it is generally believed to be caused by nerves or anxiety. Taking a break could be helpful because it gives you a chance to relax and reset.

If you struggle with the yips, don't be afraid to take a break from singing for a few days or weeks. This will give you time to relax and refocus, making you return stronger and better.

If you're facing the yips, it may be time to try a new approach. John recommends these three things you can do as a new approach to overcoming yips:

Meditation can help you focus and calm your mind, which can be helpful when trying to overcome the yips. It can also help increase your awareness of your body and breath. You can try to find the best time and a comfortable place to meditate.

When it comes to singing, the yips can be a real problem, as they can cause you to freeze up or make mistakes. Some interventions can be made to help singers overcome it. Bear in mind that it may take some time and effort to overcome the yips, but with the right approach, it is possible.

If you want to know more about John, you can visit johnhenny.com. There you can listen to previous episodes of The Intelligent Vocalist podcast, as well as access his blog posts. Join John's mailing list to get special offers that are exclusive to his mailing list, and stay up to date on new courses and books.