Perfect Poise, Perfect Life
Bring your body into balance and revolutionise your life
By Noel Kingsley
Publisher Hodder Mobius
AVAILABLE HERE
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Presenting
Having started with my first client this morning at 7.15am I've got a few more to see before leaving late morning to go to the Annual Conference of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT).. I've been asked to give two lectures, one today and another tomorrow before the AGM in the afternoon, so having prepared what I want to cover, some other aspects of presenting come to mind that are worthy of consideration.
We all know that preparation is the key to giving a successful presentation and there are many techniques we can use to create interest, variety, visual stimulus, keep the audience hopefully hanging on every word and to inform in an enjoyable, succinct and convincing way. Fine. But what about the person who has got to do the presentation, namely you, .....or in this case, me. Are we in good shape?
There is nothing like being put on the spot, having to perform and be the focus of attention for a while, to put us on our metal. Are our own systems working 100% and not going to undermine our best attempts? I'm talking about our postural well-being, our breathing, balance and sense of calm centredness. How is it all?
Firstly we need to be in good balance and avoid leaning forwards, because, not only will we look a little anxious, but it will interfere with our breathing and calmness. Avoiding leaning forwards is key, so the weight should be over our ankles. Keeping a free neck will also help, and combined with being at our full height and stature will help us be expansive and more relaxed. The Alexander Technique is a sure way of helping make sure our body is going to cope in all situations and particularly in demanding ones.
It's also important to drink plenty of water as avoiding dehydration is a key component in ensuring we can function clear-headedly and calmly. We should avoid caffeine in tea and coffee and also alcohol as they are diuretics. It's obviously helpful to be well rested too.
But as with all things in life, if we think about all the problems we could have, by thinking of them we energise them! So it's far better to think of everything going swimmingly smoothly, hunky-dory and brilliantly successfully. Then we are energising exactly what we want! So without delay I must toddle along, see my next clients and then get on my way.
Have a good weekend,
:-)
