Member Article

The art of breathing

With Dr Simon Raybould, Curved Vision Theatre

Take a deep breath – just like you would for the doctor. Now check what moved.

Odds are that – like most people – your stomach went out a bit, your chest went out a lot and your shoulders went up. Some people’s eyes also boggle.

That’s all very well if you’re about to do something that needs a lot of air instantly, such as entering the Shot Put but it’s less useful to a public speaker or presenter. It kicks of your fight or flight reflex and it puts huge tensions in all the wrong places.

And yet, in an effort to make themselves heard at the far end of the boardroom table, this is exactly what many people do!

Instead, try this tip. When you breathe in deeply, also make a point of doing it very, very slowly. That way you’re more likely to use your diaphragm (stomach) to do the breathing, keeping your chest relaxed and your shoulders in their normal (dropped) position. Just to be sure, before you start your first sentence, let half the air out and start speaking without breathing in again.

That lets the high-pressure air go so you don’t start with a whooooooosh of sound but instead start with a controlled, balanced voice – vital for confidence and credibility!

As always, questions to me at sme@curved-vision.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .