Do you get the jitters before going up on stage? Nervous before walking into an important meeting?
I have to confess I feel a pang of insecurity when required to speak before a gathering. To overcome this, I have tried—with much success, I must say—many tips handed out by those in the know. Some of the advice I always follow is this:
- Practice deep breathing.
- Smile, no matter how many butterflies are fluttering about inside.
- Sip chamomile tea. It has an intensely calming effect on the nerves.
But one thing that really and instantly helps me before I walk into the boardroom or up the stage is an incredibly easy yoga asana. It is called Tadasana or the Palm Tree Pose.
When I was a child, my mother would make me practice Tadasana every morning, because yoga gurus say it can increase your height. I am not sure about that, but it definitely stretches the vertebral column, and makes you feel taller.
This is a very basic yoga pose, and can be done minutes before your meeting or event. You need not have any previous experience of yoga to try Tadasana; all it takes is gentle stretching while standing on your feet. One of the beautiful things about yoga, and especially this asana, is that it relaxes you while also gearing you up for action!
Read more at Care2.