The basic safety posture

Vertical alignment: heels, hips, shoulders

The basis of effective communication does not begin with the words, but with the physical architecture of the speaker.

Before any sound is uttered, posture is already conveying a message of credibility or insecurity.

To build an effective body "control tower", a precise vertical alignment that projects stability and affability must be sought.

The technical procedure for finding this axis is to use a flat vertical surface, such as a wall, as a calibration guide.

The speaker should place the heels in contact with the plinth, ensuring that the hip also touches the surface.

This is followed by a rotation of the shoulders: raising them toward the ears and bringing them back until the shoulder blades seek contact with the wall.

This maneuver not only corrects the kyphosis (hump) common to desk work, but opens the rib cage to facilitate breathing.

A biomechanical indicator that the position is correct is that the clavicles should be in a perfectly horizontal line.

Finally, the head should rest against the back surface, bringing the chin slightly toward the sternum to elongate the cervical spine, avoiding the forward projection of the neck that denotes anxiety.

The importance of not blocking the knees

Once the verticality of the trunk has been established, attention should be directed to the lower body.

The feet should be parallel, separated at a distance equivalent to the width of the hips, providing a solid base of support.

However, a critical error is hyperextension or locking of the knees (pulling them backwards).

Keeping the knees stiff cuts off the dynamic flow of movement, loads the lower back and, in stressful situations, can restrict venous return leading to dizziness. The correct technique involves a "micro-flexion" or joint release.

This posture, although imperceptible to the audience, allows the speaker to react with agility, shift weight fluidly and keep energy circulating, avoiding the stiffness of a statue.

When separating from the reference wall, the upper alignment should be maintained, but relaxing the pelvis to a neutral position and unlocking the legs to naturalize the stance.

Summary

Correct vertical alignment conveys immediate credibility. Using a wall helps calibrate heels, hips and shoulders, opening the rib cage to facilitate breathing.

Horizontal clavicles avoid unnecessary tension. The chin to the sternum elongates the cervicals, eliminating neck projection directly associated with the anxiety of being judged.

It is essential to maintain a micro-flexion in the knees to avoid dizziness. This solid base allows you to react with agility and keep the energy circulating without stiffness.