A 6-step Pilates workout for your next presentation

It’s not just about strength and stamina. Here’s how to add the proper tone, concentration, and precision to captivate your audience.

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Pilates formulated six key principles to improve people’s strength and endurance. Though these principles were designed for physical fitness, they can also be applied to public speaking—and to all aspects of life.

1. Breath

Joseph Pilates wrote, “Above all…learn to breathe correctly.” Correct breathing oxygenates the blood and increases circulation. This certainly holds true for the public speaker. Proper breathing will help you maintain control, calm your nerves, and give you the air you need to speak effectively with an even and modulated rate of speech.

2. Concentration

Just as there are no mindless or careless moments in Pilates, there should be none in your delivery, either. Keep your focus on the task at hand, and direct your body, voice, and words to carefully deliver the message with deliberate control.

3. Control

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