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.
1. Acknowledging another as they are 2. Being mindful of boundaries 2. Caring to confirm 3. Listening with Attention 4. Having patience 5. Sharing in authenticity 6. Allowing space for curiosity & growth 7. Behaving respectively 8. Being present & available 9. Respecting personal space 10.Valuing emotions in resonance 11.Holding space for perspectives 12. Showing care and offering comfort to another.
You may find a few empathic faces coming up in front of you after reading this… People who have been showing some or almost all of these signs.
Hold on to them. Learn from them Respect their ways… They have understood much about life and living and valuing the strength of the interconnects.
This week for me seems to be a traveling one, for work and pleasure and I am right now in a country where it is both common and fashionable to wear a lot of black. Can you guess which one?
And while you are at it, sharing this particular poem about black and white photography and I think I am co- relating to it literally here. Read on…
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.
Shine your light The light of you That comes through you Your truth in your voice Your speech in your words Your work, your authenticity Your moves, your way Step into your light Step into your place Fill it with all of you For none can fill this space There is no other quite like you For you are unique In your own way Shine on.
We are an ever growing circle Emerging through our words In the sharing we have grown We have eased into each other’s hearts We may not see one another ever But we have connected in mutual respect Of each others creativity. Though the power of words Comforted and understood Accepted and appreciated One another in our own little ways. For we all know the power of words That, one heartfelt word can change a day!
Thank you all for being here and hoping for a joyful journey ahead together for us all.
There are always special moments in every one’s life Making life meaningful and memorable Often it’s pure serendipity… When your memory jogs you to remember such a moment.
What makes the memory strong? What you are associating it with, That is what makes the memory stronger.
Next time pay attention to whatever you want to remember. What emotions and feelings can you associate with it? As your visualisation gets stronger Your memory gets better and will fade lesser in time.
Now remember to visualise with vibrance. Choose as you please, Scents & fragrances of places Nature & friendships Colours of Emotions In all its vividity &feelings.
Soon you will build on all the happy times. Keep adding your treasure chest of memorable moments.
Someone asked me what spiritual growth means to me …
Here is what I spoke about in a nutshell
Harmony in mind body & spirit Integration in Self awareness Developing greater understanding & Empathy Humility & Kindness Humanity & Compassion.
Living in the lightness of being Acknowledging Grace in Gratitude Sensing true freedom to be…for the self and others. To flow with life in serenity. Sensing the joy in the ordinary.
It’s about acknowledging & sensing the space in around me
It’s about giving in the receiving and receiving in the giving
Witnessing the evolving patterns and freeing the self from limitations of the mind.
Evolving in the learnings, valuing the connection built in time. A mindful & heartful practice in conscious awareness. Letting go of unnecessary things Understanding the value Of the gift of life Making life meaningful. Living life lovingly!
And in knowing it’s so much more….
Please feel free to add what spiritual growth means to you?
To travel Can be about discovery Of the old in the new places Leading you to pathways That takes you back to your self
To travel Can be a sensing of serendipity. A feeling of dejavue A memorable journey Unexpectedly unto yourself.
To travel Can be to witness The stark reality of life Perhaps a jolt of reality Of places and people As they are in comparison to what was once imagination.
To travel Can be to learn and unlearn To connect us to this now With the truths of things In places we visit Know and unknown.
Keep traveling far and near to find yourself a little more every time.
Savvy Raj 
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