Speak From Your Gut
"Speak from Your Gut: A Deeper Dive"
There's more to the advice "Speak from your gut" than meets the eye. It's like a secret weapon, a hidden gem, a cosmic cheat code for effective communication. When people suggest this, they're encouraging you to trust your intuition, your inner voice, your gut feeling.
Your breath, the fuel for your speech, is most effective when it originates deep within your body. As you inhale and exhale, your abdomen should expand and contract; your shoulders shouldn't rise, and your chest shouldn't bulge too much. Deep breathing not only enhances your speech but also grounds you, connecting you to your gut feeling.
We speak on exhaled breath. Since deep exhalations trigger the relaxation response, speaking with fully-exhaled utterances promotes calmness and clarity. If you find yourself freezing up, find your grounding by taking a long, slow exhale to return to the present moment and reconnect with your gut feeling.
Imagine the sound originating from your gut. This will give your voice greater depth and resonance. Conversely, if you think of sound coming from your throat or mouth, your voice may sound "smaller" and lack the qualities of a powerful voice that can captivate an audience.
Groundedness, relaxation, and utilizing your entire body for resonance will contribute to a confident and authoritative vocal quality. People who don't fully harness their "instrument" often sound hesitant, unsure, or weak.
Deep breathing also fosters a connection to your "gut instinct." The gut, often referred to as a "second brain," contains 100 million neurons and a complex network of neurons, neurotransmitters, and proteins that respond to stress and pleasure. It's the only part of the peripheral nervous system that can choose not to follow the brain or spinal cord's commands. Your gut has a mind of its own.
Perhaps this is why people with severe anxiety or stress may develop ulcers or other digestive problems. They might not be "listening to their gut" enough.
If you're familiar with meditation or bodywork practices, you might know about the "hara," located just below your navel. It's considered the center of balance and the "vital spirit." Meditational practices often involve focusing on the hara during breathing exercises.
In conclusion, speaking from your gut, or tapping into your gut feeling, can improve your vocal quality, enhance your overall well-being, and make a lasting impression on your audience. It's like unlocking a hidden superpower within yourself. So, the next time you're about to speak, remember: breathe deep, relax, and let your gut feeling guide the way.