How I Improved My Stutter: Belly Breathing

How I Improved My Stutter: Belly Breathing First ever reddit post! Just a quick background: I've had a mild stutter for as long as I can remember. Would go through all the common problems: got stuck on my name when introducing myself, struggled ordering at restaurants, did head jerks/fake yawns/stretched out my hands to try to get a word out. Saw a therapist throughout elementary school, then saw an amazing speech pathologist for a few years in high school. Wrote one of my college essays about it, and I believe it helped me get accepted to my dream school. Now, I'm about to graduate, and have been going through the interview process, which I had been dreading for years. I have spent my whole life avoiding the problem, but for the past year, I have been fighting it. I read a couple books--John Harrison's Redefining Stuttering is an absolute must read. But, there was one thing that I found that improved my stutter the most: learning how to breathe. Do some research on belly breathing, and try it out when you get stuck on a word. I'll attach a basic video on it below. Also called diaphragmatic breathing, it is a common technique used by public speakers and singers where you breathe from your stomach instead of your chest. I've found it helps me relax, and the words just flow out. I don't stress over phone calls, introducing myself, ordering food, or even speaking in front of people. I still get stuck occasionally, but compared to my speaking ability from a year ago, I feel like a new person. I hope you all find some degree of success with this technique, and feel free to ask any questions. Also willing to talk on the phone or Skype with any stutterer-- speaking to people who share your struggles is relieving. How to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg9XYicHqKo Another link: http://www.samvarner.com/physical-wellness/deep-breathing.html