The Exercise, Diet and Singing Connection. Can it Equal a Successful Singing Career?

One of the many examples of a successful singing career which developed from finding physical and emotional well-being is Lisette Oropresa, opera singer. Starting out her career at the Met in 2006, she experienced a personal and professional revolution at the same time.  Being overweight at the start of her professional career provided some road blocks.  As her career got on the fast track to success, so did she to take care of herself.  "Intertwining the stretching and strength positions of yoga with running and allowing both activities to fuel singing helped me to heal as a human being." http://www.classicalsinger.com/magazine/article.php?id=2377

In Lissette's struggles to lose weight to achieve her operatic career goals, she found that yoga and running "created a genuine happiness in me because they have put me back in touch with my center. I thought I was lost, my spirit crushed, and that I may never sing again, until I began to grow from the inside out."

At the same time she was re-vamping her exercise, Lissette began to really pay attention to what food she was putting in to her body.  Her childhood of unhealthy eating habits was catching up with her.  Winning the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in 2005 gave her the motivations to get moving and revise her eating.  "You are what you eat" and if you provide yourself with good, wholesome food, you produce a good, healthy product.  Lots of water, fresh fruits and vegetables, portion control.  You know the drill. 

Singing is a tough business. "You are expected to do a lot more than just stand there and sing. There is a big difference between looking the part and being fit"(Lisette Oropresa). It is competitive and you are expected to look and be the part (singing, acting, and dancing, in addition to being physically fit enough to carry the role).

Give yourself the opportunity to stand out from the rest by thinking about it now. Get out there and take care of your body which in turn will improve your singing.

What do you think about the exercise, diet, and singing connection?