Post-Performance Recovery Routines
- Valentina Carlile DO
- 6 days ago
- 1 min read
After a high-intensity show involving aerial work, heavy choreography, and adrenaline, the body enters a state of hypertonicity (chronic muscle tightness) and vocal fatigue. Carlile's recovery protocol focuses on down-regulating the nervous system and flushing out physical tension:
Post-Show Recovery:
1. Parasympathetic Shift (Slow Gaze VOR Drills)
2. Manual Laryngeal Reset (Hyoid & Thyroid Release)
3. Hydro-Vocal Rest (SoVR Taping & Nebulizers)
Vagal Down-Regulation: She transitions the performer from a sympathetic (fight-or-flight) state to a parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) state using very slow, smooth visual tracking exercises (smooth pursuits) and gentle, rhythmic VOR movements paired with long, exhaled sighs.
Manual Laryngeal "Reset": High-intensity performance pulls the larynx high and tight. Carlile performs gentle manual downward traction on the thyroid cartilage and lateral mobilizations of the hyoid bone to stretch out the strained extrinsic laryngeal muscles.
Hydro-Vocal Decongestion: To counter the drying effects of stage lights, smoke machines, and rapid mouth-breathing, she uses localized nebulization (isotonic saline) combined with Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract (SOVT) exercises—such as phonating through narrow straws into water—to reduce vocal fold swelling and re-align muscle fibers safely.
An inverted vertical VOR (Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex) drill is an advanced neurological retraining protocol used by Valentina Carlile. It stabilizes a performer's gaze, spatial orientation, and vocal tract mechanics when their body is physically flipped upside down.
Standard vertical VOR exercises track the eyes up and down while seated. In contrast, an inverted vertical drill alters the relationship between the inner ear, gravitational pull, and laryngeal posture.
Valentina Carlile - Osteopath specializing in Osteopathy for Voice and Speech Disorders since 2002. For information and bookings, visit the Contact page.
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