Week One. Focused Relaxation
• Monday. Breathe or Die
• Tuesday. Shifting to Neutral-ready
• Wednesday. Warm-Up or Leave Them Cold
• Thursday. The Triangle of Tension
• Friday. Tai Chi
• Saturday. Playing with Pressure
• Sunday. Day of Rest and Music

Week Two. Preparation
• Monday. Audience
• Tuesday. Shaping Your Speech
• Wednesday. PowerPoint
• Thursday. Support Materials
• Friday. Wardrobe
• Saturday. Visualization and Rest

Week Three. Physical Presence
• Monday. The First Fifteen Seconds
• Tuesday. Physical Alignment: Lifted and Rooted
• Wednesday. Energy
• Thursday. Energy Shifts
• Friday. Physical Expressiveness
• Saturday. Gestures

Week Four. Voice and Speech
• Monday. Supported Breath.
• Tuesday. Articulation
• Wednesday. Um . . . Like . . . You Know
• Thursday. Vocal Power
• Friday. Vocal Pitch
• Saturday. Putting It All Together

Week Five. Action
• Monday. Actively Active
• Tuesday: Drawing the Audience In
• Wednesday: Inspiring the Crowd
• Thursday: Humor
• Friday: Power Combinations
• Saturday: The Whole Enchilada

Week Six. Five Keys to Presentation Excellence
• Monday. Key One: Build
• Tuesday. Key Two: Pause
• Wednesday. Key Three: Cut-Back
• Thursday. Key Four: Tempo
• Friday. Key Five: Operative Words
• Saturday. Integration of Technique

An excerpt from Eli Simon’s Power Speech:
It’s Not Just What You Say… It’s How You Say It!

Physical Alignment: Lifted and Rooted

Let’s focus today on refining your physical alignment. This does not mean pushing yourself into a military stance with your shoulders pulled back, chest pushed out, and head held high. Rather, allow your shoulders to relax and your head to float easily atop your spine. This requires minimum tension coupled with maximum relaxation. When you’re truly aligned you will feel released, energized, and ready to perform.

Power Speech principles of alignment are based on the Alexander Technique, a system of movement that promotes minimum energy and maximum physical awareness. Alexander Technique was developed in the 1930’s by Frederick Alexander, an Australian actor and therapist. Since its inception in the 1930’s, it has remained relevant and useful to a wide range of performers. Professional dancer and actor training programs utilize Alexander Technique to promote body awareness and relaxation.

Exercise 3.2A: Head String

This technique utilizes the power of your imagination. Thus, it’s best to approach the exercise with a clear and focused mind.

1. Stand in neutral-ready, breathe deeply, and release tension.
2. Close your eyes and continue to relax.
3. In your mind’s eye, take an x-ray of your spine. See the “s” shape as it moves up from your tailbone toward your head.
4. Imagine the top of your spine continuing straight up through the top of your head.
5. Using your fingers, find this spot. (This is located on the top plane of your head, above your ears.)
6. Pull or pinch this spot; when you let go you should feel the area tingling.
7. Relax your arms and concentrate on your spine and your head spot.
7. Relax your arms and concentrate on your spine and your head spot.
8. Now, imagine that there is a light cotton string attached to that spot on your head. This string gently lifts your spine, allowing it to float upwards.
9. See your spine lengthening as you continue to relax your shoulders, neck, and arms. Breathe easily and feel yourself floating gently upwards.
10. Take a neutral-ready walk with your string in place. The string follows you as you move.
11. Alternate between standing and walking with your head string in place.

Did you feel a heightened sense of alignment? Using a head string leaves your body open, relaxed, and ready to support your words.

Exercise 3.2B: Heel Strings

Whereas the head string is used to lift you, heel strings prevent you from becoming tippy or floating away. In other words, they provide a way of “grounding” you. In theatre, grounded actors are also called “centered” or “rooted.” Being rooted means that you are sending imaginary roots down into the ground. Heel strings give you these roots.

1. Stand in your neutral-ready stance while you breathe and relax.
2. Touch your head string spot. Reestablish your head string and float up.
3. Standing on one leg, tap the other heel into the ground several times. Now switch legs and heel. Your heels should be buzzing slightly when you finish.
4. Return to your neutral-ready stance and float up.

“This is the best presentation skills book out there. Eli Simon’s Power Speech works magic – it’s a keenly effective way to really improve your speaking skills. Power Speech techinques are powerful, insightful, and fun.”