Perception of a person by listening. Personal development by discovering one's authentic voice

The sound of each person's voice is unique and reveals just as much about their current emotional state as their personal history or experiences. This article aims to draw attention to the direct correlation between the sound of a person's voice and his individual behaviour patterns. Based on case studies, I will introduce the reader to the analysis and methods that qualify the sound of a person's voice and show that the search for one's authentic voice is part of wider individual personal development. Our body provides us with a sound box for our voice. Personal experiences, manifested in individual body posture are reflected in the sound of a person's voice. Developing awareness for the sound of your individual voice offers an opportunity to develop and pro-actively influence your personal development. With the help of exercises (bodywork, breathing, relaxation, vocal-training) restrictive body patterns can be changed and a person's personal comfort zone can be challenged, developing an authentic expressiveness in communication. The attentive listener is able to get clues of the speaker's present emotional condition as well as his range of personal experiences, which offers an additional opportunity to encounter and communicate with a person.