Reviews

"The vocal manual therapy session was absolutely transformative for my singing but also the deep relaxation and enjoyment of the experience cannot be stressed enough. As a professional vocalist, this is a must. For someone who needs to sing, act or speak for a living, this is a must. A completely amazing experience done by a completely amazing person."

Issues Presented:

Tension in the neck and jaw impacting breathing and vocal production. 

Susie has such a sensitivity to all things body, voice and spirit. I don’t know what my craft would be without her! The vocal manual therapy session was absolutely transformative for my singing but also the deep relaxation and enjoyment of the experience cannot be stressed enough. As a professional vocalist, this is a must. For someone who never needs to sing or act, this is a must. A completely amazing experience done by a completely amazing person.

" I still can't quite believe the impact of the vocal massage, the intensity of the effect of lightness, and the instantaneous turnaround of my neck issues. I highly recommend Susie's Vocal Manual Therapy."

Issues Presented :

Having been placed on a two-week investigative pathway by the NHS for an unexplained mass/globus in the neck and heavily swollen glands, I was given a nasal pharyngoscopy, blood-tests and throat scans, but doctors were unable to diagnose a problem. Whilst I felt reassured that there was nothing seriously wrong, the constriction I felt in my neck went from bad to worse. I often found it difficult to look up and even turn my head, without the feeling of tightened airways and a 'massed' form in my neck. It was then that I began to look for alternative therapies. I booked an appointment with Susie in her studio. The hour-and-half long session began with a visually-aided talk about the muscles that Susie would manipulate, what these muscles are responsible for in the body, and how they interconnect to other muscles and organs. The manipulation itself consisted of a series of different types of muscle massages, focussing on my jaw, neck and chest areas, and was totally client-led (I directed both the length and intensity of each and every manipulation). Having initially felt nervous about my neck being handled, Susie's depth of knowledge, her lightness of touch and encouraging manner made the experience abundantly relaxing  and restorative, and NOTHING could quite prepare me for the feeling of lightness, space and malleability in the neck upon completion. I still can't quite believe the impact of the massage, the intensity of the effect of lightness, and the instantaneous turnaround of my neck issues. I highly recommend Susie's Vocal Manual Therapy.

"I had a consultation with Susie. Best move ever! The near-immediate release achieved was astounding. Susie's techniques have been with me since, and it is a privilege to be able to recommend her informed, patient and generous care to anyone who needs it."  

Issues Presented:

After a particularly violent cough/throat infection I found I had completely lost my usual vocal freedom. My voice production was severely curtailed to less than half its normal range in a strangely physical way - my throat and neck muscles would tighten alarmingly as I rose through a simple scale and singing became impossible. Even my speaking voice had altered. When this continued far longer than any normal after-effects of a cold or infection and with no signs of improvement, I had a consultation with Susie. Best move ever! 

From the outset, her confident and calm approach instantly returned the 'hope' that things would come good again. To be sure her initial diagnosis was sound, we explored the sensations of the immediate problem as well as what still felt ok in vocal and general health. Susie guided me through a progression of stretching and posture exercises - each one simply explained and demonstrated. She was very careful to keep checking-in as we went to make sure absolutely nothing felt painful or uncomfortable. As a singer herself her explanations and visualisations of the throat, vocal folds, larynx and neck muscles and the greater involvement of the body were spot on for a singer.  Our session involved hands-on massage with laryngeal manipulation and the assisted stretching produced unfamiliar but never uncomfortable sensations. Finally some vocal exercises (new to me) gently explored my range and postural engagement. The near-immediate release achieved was astounding. Susie's techniques have been with me since, and it is a privilege to be able to recommend her informed, patient and generous care to anyone who needs it.