Whether for a speech or consistently better communication skills, good posture and breathing technique top my list for improving your personal presentation. Here are my six points from my post, “All the Way” for your reference:
- Posture and breathing
- Volume and projection
- Mental attitude, focus, and intention
- Physical gestures
- Script pacing, conversational and natural tones
- Imagery, word emphasis, and “throw away” phrases
Looking at #1 today, leaving breathing for another post (figuratively!)…
Turns out, good posture isn’t just great for vocal delivery. As a Yoga Teacher, I’ve learned much about posture and what is best for keeping ourselves in best health. Yes, posture does affect your health. (Think back, neck, and even knee pain, among others!)
For the purposes of speaking in your best, most natural, clear and confident voice, BOTH sitting and standing, here we go…
- Feet flat on floor – heels and balls of feet with equal weight, wiggle your toes to release grip
- Lower shoulders – find the most relaxed place for those things that carry the world
- Neutralize back
- Adjust pelvic girdle – are you rolling too far forward or back? Experiment and find a neutral place.
- Bring middle-back to center – aligning it as best you can with upper and lower spine.
- Align ribs – Lift collarbone slightly, find a neutral place for your ribs – they are not to protrude, nor sink, but align with the core of your body.
- Gently activate abs to hold your posture.
Review all the steps until you find your best place and check in regularly!
This is so interesting. Who knew, other than you, that posture affects voice. Thank you. The simplest things are often the most effective for prime health.
Thanks for saying so, Lisette! I thought you would have great insight into this as a trained Opera singer, too!
Also a great tip to remind me to shift and sit better when I’m slouching at my desk, whether I’m talking on the phone or not. Going to print that and tack it up.
TWO THUMBS UPS!!
Lovely piece, a great reminder about posture, except for the activate the abs bit, in my experience. Full release of the abs is needed for good, deep breathing for voice work. The necessary abs will engage for you to stand up well with out you having to activate them. I’d recommend leaving the abs be so the breath can drop in well.
Nic
http://www.nicredmanvoice.com
Thanks for comment, Nicola! At first, I wanted to agree with you… But then I realized, it is indeed different for me. If I activate my abs slightly, I find the support I need for breath control and consistency of sound. Also, as I grow older, it seems I constantly want to sneak into a slouch. Activating my abs gently reminds me to sit up straight.
Thank you for chiming in! Keeping me honest… 😉