In my presentation training sessions, I repeatedly notice that about a third of participants are unable to perceive any breathing movement in their abdomen at all. Classic breathing exercises are often difficult for absolute beginners to understand and put into practice. Before my clients get the feeling that they can’t master “something as simple as breathing”, I use the bellicon.
On the bellicon, the idea of right and wrong fades away. From the very first moment, the joy of bouncing takes over. The challenge of maintaining balance while continuing to bounce during the breathing exercises leaves no room for negative feelings. After a few exercises, we stand next to the bellicon and check how their perception of breathing has changed.
The clients are relaxed and energized at the same time, and the fun of bouncing has done the rest: the body is now perceived more intensely. The abdomen is activated, the breathing movement is clearly noticeable. In this loosened state, we now work on our actual topic: presenting in front of an audience.
A beginner exercise: stand next to the bellicon, place your hands on your lower abdomen, close your eyes, and feel your breath. After about a minute, open your eyes and step onto the bellicon trampoline. Using the floor mat, knead your feet vigorously for about three minutes: imagine you were kneading a stiff bread dough with your feet! Also use the inner and outer edges of your feet, rolling forward and backward. As at the start, stand next to the bellicon again, close your eyes, place your hands on your abdomen, and feel your breath. It has “slipped down” and is now clearly noticeable in the abdomen; the belly expands on the inhale and sinks in on the exhale. Place your hands on the sides of your body: the flanks are also involved in the breathing movement. Doing this exercise every few days strengthens breath awareness and is the perfect preparation for further, more intensive breathing exercises.
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