Our diaphragms act passively, until we get aggressive.  Then, we squeeze too hard with our voluntary muscles and the diaphragm can no longer go with the flow.  There is a balance between the voluntary and involuntary muscle activation – and you can change that balance from effort to effortless when you train your diaphragm correctly.

When you do release exercises and train your diaphragm properly, then the diaphragm gets stronger because the rest of the body is not restricting its motion. Your voice will get stronger as a result. When I think about how the voluntary muscles around the diaphragm can move from aggressive behavior to a more supportive role, I can then accept the aggressive behavior of my friend as I believe that my friend can move to a more supportive role as well. 

Steven Flam is the developer of the groundbreaking teaching technique called BreathingRx For Singers which includes diaphragm target training. For more information or to debate the content of this article please contact him at info@breathingrx.com from-the-prescription-pad.pdf