I delighted in a double first of new experiences this week.
Usually, when teaching, I work alone.
But, on this occasion, taking a workshop in public speaking for University of Cambridge researchers, I was joined by a friend.
She took part of the session, and taught me - and the group - a brilliant new lesson in how to warm up well for truly powerful public speaking.
Laura is an actress, and carries and presents herself with all the grace and poise you'd expect from such a performer.
She ran us through her exercises, which come from her drama school days...
And which, I now know, thespians apply before they strut their stuff on stage.
The exercises are great for making your voice strong and authoritative, your body supple and energetic, and your mindset clear and keen.
Here's a quick rundown of my favourites:
- Beginning to swing the arms and move the body. Stamping and marching.
- Bending forward and tapping the back whilst bent forward. Tapping the arms, the chest and all down the legs.
- Beginning to hum, moving the sound through the body. Starting with humming in the chest, down to the feet and up again. Really loved this one!
- Sending the sound out to the audience.
- Diction warm ups, with an a, e, i, o, u.
- Chewing and moving the mouth and lips.
- Tongue twisters: Do daily deeds diligently. Red lorry, yellow lorry.
I know this might all sound a little odd.
It did to me when Laura first suggested it.
But believe me, the exercises work.
I went through them all with the rest of the group, and they really got me buzzing for the remainder of the workshop.
They genuinely do help put you into the perfect mindset and body state to perform at your peak.
They were also great fun, with much merriment and laughter.
The warm up exercises had such an impact that I shall now be incorporating them into my teaching of public speaking and presentations....
And also going through them any time before I take to the stage to perform myself.
(Albeit in a soundproofed room where no one can see me!)
