Three Part Breathing, Yoga, and Public Speaking Nerves

by Joyce
(Billings MT USA)

One of the many things that my yoga practice has given me is the ability to calm my nerves. I put this to use recently when I needed to deliver a talk to a group of about one hundred fifty people. How?


I prepared and knew my speech well. While I waited my turn to speak, I focused on my three part breathing, that is, taking in a deep breath slowly through the nose as though you are filling a glass of water. Bring all the air to the bottom of your belly, then upper belly, then chest. Exhale in reverse.

That worked for me and my fifteen minutes in front of the group flew by. I was told later that I appeared very calm.