Published July 2001

Have to give a speech?
Take a deep breath, relax

Is giving a presentation a necessary but unpleasant task for you? Does your body shake, your voice quaver and your mind feel like it will go blank any minute?

This is the case for many people. I’ve witnessed highly successful, intelligent and articulate people revert into stuttering third-graders giving a book report when they stand up to give a presentation.

The good news is, it does not have to be this way. With a change of attitude and the development of specific skills, presentations can become events in which you shine

So how do we change? One area I focus on in my initial work with clients is breathing.

Do you ever catch yourself holding your breath? Many of us have a habitual shallow breathing pattern. We breathe just enough to keep from passing out. And that’s in regular life.

When we are under stress, or giving a presentation, the problem is exacerbated. It is impossible to be in our full power when we are holding our breath.

When we breathe deep and low in our bellies, many wonderful things happen.

First of all, our voice becomes richer and more resonant. If you have ever noticed your voice quavering, it is telling you it needs air — desperately!

Rather than sounding desperate, breathe low and discover your true voice.

Secondly, when we breathe deeply, our body language appears more natural. Shallow breathing triggers the “fight or flight” response; low breathing encourages us to relax and be fully present.

We communicate confidence when we are comfortable with ourselves. When we relax, our audience relaxes with us. It is only when they are relaxed that they open up and receive our message. Breathing low and deep in the belly will not only give you the appearance of more confidence, you will feel more confident.

Finally, breathing helps us to remember things.

Think of a time that you blanked out while speaking. Were you breathing deep and low? Most likely not.

When we become tense and stop breathing, our brain locks up. It is very difficult to retrieve any information. When we breathe, we open the doors to our intelligence, our humor, our humanity. We are able to be spontaneous. We are able to reveal what is unique and wonderful about us. We are able to honor our audience by being present with them, with all of who we are.

If you learn to breathe fully when you give a presentation, it will have a huge impact on your speaking abilities. You will appear more credible; you will sound more confident; and you will actually enjoy yourself.

Jean Hamilton, owner of Seattle-based Speaking Results, is a speaker, trainer and coach on presentation and communication skills. You can contact her by calling 206-933-6645 or visiting her Web site, www.speakingresults.com.

Back to the top/July 2001 Main Menu