How do I know if I'm singing from my diaphragm?

How do you know when you're singing completely from the diaphragm?

• I don't have a bad voice. I've often been told that i have a beautiful & unique voice, but my problem is that I 've always sang from my throat. So of course when i would train myself i would push it and i've been singing wrong my whole life. I've been letting the internet teach me proper technique, about using the diaphragm, but i still feel pressure in my throat and i have no control over my runs anymore. How do I use my diaphragm only and get my control back?

• Answer:

  Put your hand on your stomach and breath in. Your stomach should inflate. Now when you're singing, you should be able to feel (via said hand) your stomach getting smaller/flatter. My choir director always called it "balloon breathing". Now, whenever you sing, that same area (consequently where your diaphragm is located) will kind o pump. It's really hard to explain, but you'll know when it happens. Cheers and Good Luck!