While you can use any of the latest AI Apps to enhance your presentation. And you may find it easier when you do the basic preparation of the speech. A few things that are truly important is keeping yourself hydrated before a speech. Having to deliver a long presentation and speech can be quite challenging with a dry mouth. Secondly doing a technical check if you also have a presentation to support, prior to your speech is equally necessary. As whatever be your presentation if it does not synch with your speech, it can be rather challenging. Third make sure to take a deep breath before you start as it helps balance your mind & body easing the nervous system, and enhancing present moment awareness. This is truly helpful where you can easily improvise in case you forget a few lines which can happen to anyone Inspite of preparations. Most of all having a good night sleep before an important speech keeps you looking fresh and in the now.
Unconference, the word piqued my curiosity for a while until I checked it up on the internet, only to find that the idea has gained tremendous momentum across the globe.
The idea of un-structuring the ingrained structure seemed interesting to say the least, in creating spaces and possibilities to honour the learning.
Suffice to say recently, when I came across an Unconference event in the local newspaper I decided I must make a visit.
The venue of this Unconference was the well known Symbiosis School of Liberal Arts in Pune. I reached just in time for the proceedings to untold.
A customary registration ensued and I was greeted by a few volunteers with a relaxed warm and welcoming attitude. Clearly, the Unconference had started right there.
The word Conference kind of stiffens people up. There is a formal attitude, a thick air of competition to perform at their very best. There are fees and strict rules to adhere to. There are super busy organisers scurrying through and tension is writ large on their faces and their bodies as well are stressed out with expectations of the outcome of the event. Suited men and women whizz through looking super important. And yes there would be a Chief Guest of honour and a coterie of important people who need VIP handling… Adherence to their whims and fancies and most importantly their speeches which may or may not be of interest to any. But all must endure as to get up and leave is an offence to the speaker.
On the contrary here, there was a prevalent free-spirited feeling in the first place that all were in it together. The sense of community always takes time to build so I stood in that room with a small group of people waiting for the (informal introductory practice,) the opening circle.
The Opening Circle :
Someone from the group had taken an initiative to design a pretty pattern made of flowers in the centre of the space and light a lamp there.
A few introductory rounds later which turned out to be icebreakers with a few games to let loose and get into the flow.
There was a board set up with a mention of few rooms and a time slot to boot. The participants were encouraged to choose to attend or conduct workshops or just wander around and network.
A few people got up to mention their workshops and claim their slot. On a moment’s impulse although I was not exactly in the right attire for a dance workshop I simply decided to go with the flow and offered a Dance connection workshop by me.
Encouraged by a decent number of participants I let the moment take the lead. As I began teaching I witnessed the flow of the energy in the exchange.
I spoke about the dance, hold, frame and positioning and started introducing them to partner dancing and some basic steps. Bit by bit people shed inhibitions as they were getting tuned into the moves.
The moment strangers began to hold hands and face one another… for many, there was harmony to be found in the mirror imaging. For after all the lead and follow were simply an extension of each other dancing as one unit.
The energy in the room turned up a notch with the Achy Breaky Heart country cha sounds of Billy Ray Cyrus for company.
All started sensing the tuning in to the rhthymic expression of music & movement with their partners at that moment.
After the dance workshop I asked what they felt in that moment and here is what they shared immediately…
Sitting for long hours at work can be rather stressful for those who have sedentary work. In such cases taking good care of your feet health is very important for your heart and overall health.
What can you do besides wearing comfortable shoes, soaking your feet in warm salt water after work, massaging your feet from time to time.
However when at work you can incorporate a simple practice of taking a short walk every one hour to break monotony and reduce the impact of long hours of sitting in a chair.
As a Ballroom dance teacher I used some simple props for my students to help strengthen their feet.
Elevating your feet when ever possible, can reduce pressure on the blood vessels, lowering fatigue and release stress.
One is simply rolling a tennis ball under your feet for a few times in a day to release the strain and tension.
Another easy way is to have a small terry towel under your feet and to try to lift it by scrunching your toes.lt helps tone, stretch & ease your feet muscles.
They are both easy to carry and can help you do a feet workout as you work.
An ignition to life and living this world No matter what form or species And its the breath that is left Behind that signifies the exit.
How important is this breath. That we all take for granted Gratitude and thankfulness To this driving force of life To nature for the air we breathe.
How important is this breath For in the way of the breath Lies the way of our health. For in the depth of breathing We can integrate our body, mind & spirit We can sense the synergy of being We can awaken our true potential. We can become aware of the infinite potential. For the truths of life, is in the inhale and exhale.
When you are exhausted and tired and you want to revive your mood play on
Music is therapeutic and the healing nature of sound energy can be tuned into to change your mood & manage emotions and lift your spirits.
Take some time to create an upbeat playlist that perks you up and engerizes you and get up from your chair to move arounda bit.
Take a short walk every once in a while. with some great music for company..It will bring a spring in your step and smile in your heart.
In fact for every part of the day, you can have a playlist of your own choice. Take time to create yours… if you haven’t already and do listen… The right music makes a powerful difference.
That best portion of a man’s life, his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love. William Wordsworth
On Giving
Give the good you have Every time before the ask Consciously consistently Every time you do You create space within For more good to find its way in
In reality Giving from all of you Is much easier done than said For all you need is to be you Giving with all your heart Making it a regular practice Sensing true freedom in spirit Aligning you with the Universe A little more in every deed.
People we happen to meet Are perhaps meant to be met And then there are people We intend and choose to meet It takes will and effort Of commitment to a connection. And when it comes to managing it Care & connect from all of you! For even a single moment of authentic connection In thoughts words and deeds Is enough to make a indelible heart print. No matter your crazy schedules You create a bond lasting a lifetime…
Whenever spirituality is discussed… there is always a question as to what is spirituality? And what is its significance in our lives?
Spirituality is a sensing of connection. The first step towards spirituality is about understanding the self as we are and then it’s an understanding of something greater than the self.
Simply put the spiritual significance of our lives is in the way we choose to live our lives.
To me spirituality is a sense of being & becoming a better person than yesterday, in selfawareness,in empathic connection, in being compassionate and kinder human being.
There are many pathways to explore spirituality and it’s unique to each of us.
It’s a pathway to finding the truth of your being and living life lovingly!
From yoga and movement arts to prayer and divination, the way we approach spiritual practices is varied and as unique as us.
“When a cat falls out of a tree, it lets go of itself. The cat becomes completely relaxed, and lands lightly on the ground. But if a cat were about to fall out of a tree and suddenly make up its mind that it didn’t want to fall, it would become tense and rigid, and would be just a bag of broken bones upon landing. In the same way, it is the philosophy of the Tao that we are all falling off a tree, at every moment of our lives. As a matter of fact, the moment we were born, we were kicked off a precipice, and we are falling, and there is nothing that can stop it. So instead of living in a state of chronic tension, and clinging to all sorts of things that are actually falling with us because the whole world is impermanent, be like a cat.”
Secret of success A ten year old Japanese boy dreamt of becoming a judo champion. But he didn’t have his left hand. Judo is hard to learn even for a fittest person. What will this disabled boy do.
He went to many masters in vain. Atlast one master agreed. The training started. He taught him a single attack for days together. Months went by. The teacher didn’t teach him anything else. He was disheartened. Master how this one attack is enough. Pl. Teach me more. Master replied, you become expert in this one attack, that is enough. He can’t disobey his master. The training continued.
The championship tournament started. First round. A fully trained opponent n this boy who has learnt just one attack. The boy won to everyone’s surprise.
Second, third, he won till the semi finals. He won that too.
The finals. The opponent has won many championships. He felt pity n rediculance on seeing his one handed opponent. First round started. The boy couldn’t stand the champion’s attack. He fell down. All took pity on him and wanted to stop the competition. The master said, no, he will fight the second round. The champion became overconfident. He removed his helmet and started to fight with a little laid back attitude . The boy attacked the only way he knew with full force. The champion fell down. The boy won the championship. None, even the boy couldn’t believe what happened.
Later, the boy bowed his master and asked him how he won knowing one single attack. Master smiled and said, two reasons for your success. One , you have mastered one of judo’s most powerfull attack. Second, there is only one way to defend this attack for the opponent. He has to catch your left hand, which in your case he can’t.. Your weakness became your strength and made you a champion. The boy stood in wonder and bowed in reverence. If we all know how to turn our weakness as our strength and learn to face life with its challanges success is not far. Life has given every individual a uniqueness. Use it wisely.
A translation of a Tamil forward by my mother Anjana
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