.webp){kind=logo}
Office Space: Shift
.webp)
The days are getting longer. That and a shift to rain in New England gets one thinking of Spring.
Transitions in season are always moments to note what one is doing well and what must change. In communication, the impulse to change can lag. We hold to habitual turns of phrase, and sometimes even resist voicing new ideas. Alternatively, we may launch ideas before we have considered the room as if afraid to hone them further before we speak.
Breath can help with this. Focusing on the impulse of the breath can settle the mind, and will clarify thinking. The moment following the impulse -- whether to slow down with a deep breath, launch forward with an excited breath, or take it all in with a surprised breath -- is crucial to being authentic and centered as a communicator.
The offer this week is to let your breathing guide you and shift your approach. Observe whether you are holding your breath and/or thoughts. Exhale with intention and let every breath be a new beginning.
In the words of a beloved colleague, now passed, "Salvation is but a breath away." (Christopher Roselli, Tenor/Educator)
Sign up for the GROW Voice newsletter to receive updates on new blog posts, upcoming workshops, and voice training resources delivered directly to your inbox.
Related posts
What Happens in Vagus Part 4: Your Body's Early Warning System
In this installment of the "What Happens in Vagus" series, voice coach Gina Razón explores how to recognize your body's early warning signals before speaking anxiety takes hold.
What Happens in Vagus Part 3: Reading the Room (And Your Nervous System)
Different speaking contexts create different types of nervous system activation, and effective speakers learn to match their regulation strategies to each environment. This post explores five distinct speaking scenarios - boardrooms, main stages, difficult conversations, virtual presentations, and impromptu moments - detailing the specific nervous system challenges and tailored regulation techniques for each. Rather than one-size-fits-all solutions, readers learn to build a personal "regulation portfolio" that adapts to the unique demands of precision under scrutiny, performance energy management, interpersonal conflict navigation, digital dysregulation, and rapid pressure response.
What Happens in Vagus Part 2: Five Ways to Find Your Vocal Sweet Spot
This follow-up post delivers five evidence-based techniques for balancing your nervous system before, during, and after high-stakes speaking situations. Learn quick regulation methods like the Physiological Sigh (30 seconds) and Micro-Orienting (15 seconds) for in-the-moment reset, plus foundational practices like Coherent Breathing and the Voo Sound for vocal-specific nervous system preparation. Based on research from Stephen Porges, Peter Levine, and Bessel van der Kolk, these tools help speakers achieve "calm intensity" - the optimal state of high arousal matched with high regulation for dynamic, engaging performance.