🗣️ The Power of Warming Up & Taking Up More Space
I’ll let you in on a little secret… the moments before you speak are just as important as the moments during your talk.
Warmups!
Think about it: would a Broadway actor, Olympic athlete, or Beyoncé herself ever walk on stage cold? Nope. Yet so many speakers (and video creators!) try to go from zero to spotlight without preparing their voice, body, or energy.
And what happens? Flat energy. Shaky voice. Awkward “I swear I’m more interesting than this” vibes. Baseball players take batting practice, swimmers stretch!
🔥 Why WarmUps Matter
Warm-ups aren’t just for vocal cords—they’re for your whole self.
When you take five minutes to stretch, shake it out, or do a silly tongue twister, you:
- Release nervous tension.
- Signal to your brain, “We’re safe, let’s have fun.”
- Get your voice and body ready to support your message.
It’s like preheating the oven before baking—you wouldn’t skip that step unless you wanted a sad, half-baked cake. (And nobody likes sad cake.)
✨ Taking Up More Space (Without Apologizing for It)
Here’s another truth: many of us—especially women—have been taught to shrink. Speak softer. Sit smaller. Don’t take up “too much” room.
But the stage (or the Zoom screen) rewards presence, not hiding.
When you consciously expand your posture—roll your shoulders back, lift your chin, plant your feet—you not only look more confident, you feel it.
And audiences can feel it too.
🛠️ Simple WarmUps You Can Try Today
Got it—let’s flesh out your list to a full 10 warmups. I’ll keep the same fun, slightly cheeky tone so it all feels cohesive:
🛠️ 10 Simple WarmUps You Can Try Today
1. Power Pose
Stand tall, hands on hips (hello, Wonder Woman) for 2 minutes. Instant confidence boost.
2. Lip Trills & Sirens
Buzz your lips up and down in pitch. Yes, you’ll sound ridiculous. That’s the point.
3. Shake It Out
Release nervous energy by shaking arms, legs, shoulders—like you’re Beyoncé in rehearsal.
4. Vocal Volume Ladder
Say a phrase (like “I’m ready to shine!”) from a whisper up to full volume.
5. Space Claiming
Walk around a room with big, open gestures. Practice being unapologetically visible.
6. Breath of Fire
Inhale deeply, then exhale in short, sharp bursts through your nose. Energizes your body and clears your head.
7. Tongue Twister Sprints
Speed through “Red leather, yellow leather” or “Unique New York.” Start slow, then race yourself.
8. Mirror Pep Talk
Look yourself in the eye, say three bold affirmations out loud, and mean them. Bonus if you wink at yourself.
9. Laugh Out Loud
Fake a belly laugh until it turns real. Laughter loosens your voice, your face, and your mood.
10. Silent Scream
Open your mouth wide, stretch your face, and mime a giant scream (no sound). Great release without scaring the neighbors.
Would you like me to polish this into a downloadable one-pager/handout (like a warm-up cheat sheet) you could give to clients or use before group sessions?
🚀 The Ripple Effect
When you warm up and take up more space, everything shifts, it’s called expansion:
- Your message lands with impact.
- Your body language signals authority.
- Your audience leans in because they trust your presence.
It’s not just about speaking louder or moving bigger—it’s about allowing yourself to be fully seen and heard.
And when you do that, you don’t just captivate the crowd… you connect with them.
💡 Question for you: What’s YOUR go-to ritual before stepping into the spotlight (on stage, in a meeting, or even on
