Release the tension
Set aside a few minutes before the conference call begins. Stand next to the table, slowly stretch your arms up over your head several times, and arch them back to your body. Then pull the arms back, hang forward and repeat a few times. Gently tilt your head from side to side, then back and forth, and feel your body and mind relax during the exercise. Don't follow the clock: instead, during these few minutes, play some relaxing music, which in itself can serve as a timekeeper so that you don't miss the start of the meeting.
Try voice exercises
Proven voice tricks and tongue twisters are a great way to warm up the voice, lips and tongue. Try humming loudly into space: this will help to release your voice better from the body. Czech speakers might train articulation by slowly and with deliberately exaggerated pronunciation repeating the following phrases and expressions several times:
- "Míní méně Máňa, vůní voní vání."
- "ouvex", "zouvex", "mouvex", "louvex".
Strange as it may seem, these puns will really stretch the mouth muscles.
Check your body posture
Posture also plays an important role when meeting in a virtual space. If you are sitting at a table, make sure you are upright. Place your feet firmly on the floor, extend spine and neck towards the ceiling and sit down. Sitting like this will help you feel more "grounded", as well as enabling you to show openness and readiness to deal with others.
Breathe properly
Pay attention to your breathing for a while before you speak. Exhale and then take a very deep breath, and repeat the exercise a few times. So-called abdominal or diaphragmatic breathing is very healthy and will help calm your nerves and voice. At the same time, it will also help your voice gain strength and take on a richer sound. But this exercise does need long-term training in order for you to acquire a "voice like a bell".
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