Poetry in Motion

I coach people on five essential elements when it comes to presence. Breath. Posture. Gesture. Content. And Mindset.

I always begin with the breath. It is literally the foundation for all we do.

When I studied at UT Austin, I had a tremendous mentor, Jim Hancock. He is among the most outstanding teachers (and friends) I have ever had, and he taught me the “Whispered Ah.” It’s a breathing technique in which you inhale through your nose, warming the breath, if you choose you can hold for a slight moment after the inhale, then slowly release on the sound Ahhhh.

Note, it’s called the Whispered Ah. It’s not a heavy sigh, nor does it need to be vocalized. (You can actually do it in the context of a meeting without it being evident to others, but the effect for you can be significant.) It’s a release of breath with a loose jaw; you want to make sure your mouth is slightly open, and another practice to pair it with is “thinking a smile.” 

Ah is a sound of relief, release, and ease. If you pair it with easy thoughts, it makes the practice even more powerful.

In terms of Buddhist practice, chanting Ah is about purifying oneself. It aids in releasing heavy emotions like guilt, and shame, and any negative actions you may have committed through your speech. When you use the sound of Ah you commit to an intention to do better in the future.

I have practiced it for years, and I also teach it to every client and class I ever have. (It’s what I talk about in my first blog post Don’t forget to breathe.)

Something that my clients don’t often know about me is that I hold poetry in high regard. So much, so the first photo on my website is me performing in a solo show I wrote called “Miss Myrna Davenport’s Poetry in Motion.” 

Miss Myrna, who had a bit of a Buddhist bent to her, considered poetry to be life distilled down to its barest essence. One of the most potent forms of poetry is haiku. (A poem that consists of 5 syllables, followed by 7 syllables, ending again with 5.)

A simple way to become poetry in motion is to remember and practice this simple haiku I have written:

Inhale for five counts

Feel the Universe expand

Now release on Ah…..

Breath leads to motion…which leads to lifted and upright Posture, natural deliberate Gestures, mindful speech and Content, and a Mindset that is both present and positive.