Common postural errors

Swaying (pendulum) and how to avoid it.

One of the most distracting and frequent bodily vices is the "pendulum effect" or constant swinging.

It occurs when the speaker transfers his or her weight from one leg to the other in a rhythmic and repetitive manner, or swings back and forth on the tips of the toes.

This movement is usually an unconscious release valve for pent-up nervous energy.

The problem with this motor tic is that it negatively hypnotizes the audience, diverting attention from the verbal message to the swaying motion, which can become dizzying or irritating to the viewer. To correct this, it is necessary to ground.

The speaker should imagine that his feet have roots that sink into the ground, distributing the weight equally between both legs.

If energy needs to be released, it is preferable to convert that momentum into an intentional shift (walking to one side) rather than rocking in place. Deliberate stillness is powerful; involuntary movement is visual noise.

Shrinking or "going small" in front of an audience.

Faced with the perceived threat of a crowd, the protective instinct may lead the speaker to adopt "closing" postures.

This is physically manifested by hunching the back, sinking the chest, raising the shoulders toward the ears and lowering the chin.

This body configuration not only projects submission, fear and lack of competence, but physiologically compresses the diaphragm and hinders voice projection. It is vital to monitor one's posture in real time.

If it is detected that the shoulders are closing forward (defensive kyphosis) or that the head is bent, an immediate correction should be made: expand the thorax, lower the shoulders and align the spine.

An open and expansive posture communicates to the audience, "I am not afraid, I am here to provide value and I have nothing to hide." Taking up space is synonymous with leadership; shrinking is synonymous with retreat.

Summary

Rhythmic or pendulum swinging is a distracting nervous release valve. This tic negatively hypnotizes the audience, diverting attention from the message to movements.

To correct it, it is necessary to imagine roots that sink the feet evenly. Deliberate stillness conveys power, while involuntary movements generate distracting visual noise.

Shrinking in front of the crowd compresses the diaphragm making it difficult to project your voice. Correcting shoulders and chest communicates leadership, demonstrating that you are not afraid of anything.