Surely you’ve seen more than one video on social media of someone blowing through a straw into a bottle of water. It looks like a kid’s game, but… what if I told you that behind this lies one of the most powerful techniques to care for and improve your voice?

Today I want to talk to you about Lax Vox, also known as straw resistance exercises in water (SOVT in water). A classic that, if you’re a singer, teacher, or simply use your voice intensely, can change your life (or at least your voice 😊).

What exactly is Lax Vox?

It is a vocal exercise in which you speak or sing while blowing through a straw submerged in a bottle of water. This gentle resistance generates positive pressure in the larynx, helping the vocal folds vibrate with more freedom and less effort.

In other words: you’re doing a mini vocal physiotherapy session without realizing it!

Benefits (and they’re numerous)

  • Enhances resonance and projection of the voice.

  • Reduces vocal tension and fatigue.

  • Aids recovery after intense vocal use.

  • Promotes alignment of airflow and muscular balance.

Lax Vox is ideal before a concert, after a long class, or even to warm up your voice while driving (spoiler: don’t mess up the inside of your car!).

Where does Lax Vox come from?

Lax Vox was created in the early 1990s by Finnish speech therapist Marketta Sihvo, Ph.D., who began presenting this straw-and-bottle method at international conferences from 1991 1. The idea arose when she observed how her clients quickly perceived the relaxing and facilitating effect of the straw submerged in water. Later, otolaryngologist Ilter Denizoglu proposed explanations on how positive pressure within the larynx releases tension and expands the vocal tract. Additionally, this technique evolves from an earlier Finnish tradition of resonance tubes from the 1960s, attributed to Antti Sovijärvi 2

What does science say?

Scientific research has reviewed Lax Vox with very positive results:

  • Healthy teachers: a pilot study with healthy educators showed improvements in vocal quality, phonation time, vocal function, and self-assessment after three weeks of regular exercises 3, 4

  • Singers with discomfort: a study of 30 singers with dysphonia revealed increased fundamental frequency in men and higher airflow and aerodynamic power in all participants, just five minutes after Lax Vox 5.
  • Electroglottographic studies: research using semi-occluded techniques (including Lax Vox) have shown favorable adjustments in vibratory patterns and reduced glottal impedance, resulting in better vocal efficiency 6.
  • Specific pathologies: in cases like vocal sulcus, ongoing use of Lax Vox improved phonation time and s/z ratios, reducing vocal effort 7.
  • Comparisons with other techniques: it has been observed that the VHFO variant (high-frequency voiced oscillation) may yield better immediate results than Lax Vox in some dysphonia cases, although both are effective and reliable in clinical contexts 8.

In summary: science supports that Lax Vox reduces tension, increases efficiency, and offers immediate perceptual and aerodynamic benefits.

How to do it? Quick Lax Vox Guide

You’ll need:

  • 1 silicone straw (ideally 35 cm long and 1 cm diameter).

  • 1 bottle with about 5 cm of water.

  • A quiet moment.

Steps:

  1. Submerge the straw 2–3 cm into the water.

  2. Inhale through your nose and emit an “uuuu” with closed lips.

  3. Hold for 10–15 seconds.

  4. Repeat 5–6 times.

  5. Try scales, words, or songs with the straw in the water.

It shouldn’t hurt. If you like, record yourself to check if you’re relaxed and fluent

My personal experience

When I started using Lax Vox before rehearsals or concerts, my voice gained endurance, clarity in high notes, and felt less fatigued. It’s compact, effective, and you can do it wherever you are (even in a car or public transport).

I once had an important performance and a strong viral pharyngitis. I wasn’t aphonic, but my voice wasn’t at 100 %, and the repertoire was demanding. Of course, I couldn’t rest my voice completely. I began a daily Lax Vox routine (three times a day, a few minutes each) and… I won’t say it healed me, but I will say it was key to being able to perform with dignity, with enough voice and—most importantly—without hurting myself. Since then, I consider it part of my basic vocal toolkit.

 

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Where to get a Lax Vox straw?

You can purchase specific kits online or improvise a homemade version, ensuring that the straw size and material allow correct pressure to be effective and safe.

In summary…

  • Lax Vox is not a trend—it’s grounded in science and experience.

  • In just a few minutes, it relaxes the voice, improves projection, and helps prevent injury.

  • Both professionals and amateurs have adopted it with proven results.

Have you tried it yet? Share your experience or message me with questions! If you found it helpful, send it to someone who talks too much 😊

📞 Want to try it with me?

If you’d like to learn personalized practical exercises, adapt the technique to your specific case, or use it effectively to prevent injuries and gain vocal power… you can book a session with me!

I’ll explain everything you need to know, we’ll practice together, and you’ll leave with a custom-made routine.


📬 Contact me via DM, email, or through the form on my website.
👉 Are you up for it?

 

References

  1. Lax Vox. (s.d.). History. https://www.laxvox.com/history/
  2. VocalFeel. (s.d.). Scientific History. https://www.vocalfeel.com/en/scientific-history/
  3. Mailänder E., Mühre L., Barsties B. Pilot amb docents (3 setmanes), Journal of Voice, 2016. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0892199716300479
  4. Çakan Uzunkavak, M., & Gül, G. (2023). Using voice training practices to improve stuttering: Example of Guidance and Research Center (RAM). International Journal of Education & Literacy Studies, 11(1), 80–87. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1329381.pdf
  5. Santana da Mata R., Rocha M., Ribeiro E. (2023). Multidimensional voice assessment: The immediate effects of Lax Vox in singers with voice complaints. https://www.academia.edu/106927905/Multidimensional_voice_assessment_the_immediate_effects_of_Lax_Vox_in_singers_with_voice_complaints
  6. Da Silva A., Da Silva J., Guzmán M., Calvache C., Ghedini A., Alves K. (2023) Efficacy of a Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract Exercises-Therapeutic Program in Behavioral Dysphonia: A Randomized and Blinded Clinical Trial
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0892199720304586
  7. Yadegari, F., & Khoddami, S. M. (2019). Immediate effects of semi-occluded vocal tract exercise in singers with vocal fatigue. International Journal of Medical Research & Health Sciences, 8(2), 30–36. https://www.dkyad.com/archieve-issue-details/2019/2/2/30
  8. Silva, R. L. F., Antonetti, A. E. S., Ribeiro, V. V., Ramos, A. C., Brasolotto, A. G., & Silverio, K. C. A. (2022). Voiced high-frequency oscillation or Lax Vox technique? Immediate effects in dysphonic individuals. Journal of Voice, 36(3), 409.e1–409.e8. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S089219972030179X
  9. Sovijärvi A. Resonance tubes technique, anys 60 vocalfeel.com+1doctorvox.com+1
  10. Matta R.S. et al. Estudi multidimensional cantants amb disfonia, Rev. CEFAC, 2021 Academia
  11. Guzmán, M., & Salfate, L. (2018). Ejercicios con tracto vocal semi-ocluido: efectos en la función glótica, aerodinámica y configuración del tracto vocal. Areté, 18(2), 21–32. https://arete.ibero.edu.co/article/view/art.18203
  12. Guzmán, M., Laukkanen, A.‑M., Muñoz, D., Geneid, A., & Richter, B. (2017). The influence of water resistance therapy on vocal fold vibration: A high‑speed digital imaging study. Logopedics Phoniatrics Vocology, 42(3), 99–107. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14015439.2016.1207097