Imagine a world where captivating speeches flow not just from eloquent words, but from a deep sense of calm and centeredness. What if the secret to becoming a confident, captivating speaker wasn’t solely in your words, but in your breath, your focus, and your presence?

This question sparked a profound realization while coaching a group of cadets for their effective speaking contest. In a spontaneous moment, I shared techniques from my decade-long practice of yoga and meditation to help them conquer stage fright, sharpen their focus, and project their voice with power and authority. This unexpected experiment yielded remarkable results, leading me to reflect on my own journey in Toastmasters and it culminated in the realization that the challenges faced by every public speaker can be summarized using the acronym S.A.V.E. – four key aspects crucial for mastering the art of public speaking.

S.A.V.E. – The Challenges of Public Speaking

S – Staying Focused
To speak spontaneously and confidently, you must be fully present. Losing focus leads to filler words, stuttering, and uncertainty — a challenge every speaker wants to overcome.

A – Anxiety on Stage
Stage fear is one of the biggest hurdles in public speaking. But a great speaker is not fearless—they perform despite the fear.

V – Vocal Variety
A speaker’s voice should inspire, engage, and captivate. Whether delivering a motivational speech or a persuasive talk, varying your tone, pitch, and volume makes all the difference.

E – Expressiveness
Words alone are not enough. Body language, gestures, and facial expressions bring your speech to life and connect you with the audience.

To truly SAVE ourselves from these challenges, practicing yoga and meditation offers a powerful solution. The key lies in L.O.V.E. —a simple yet transformative approach to becoming a confident and effective speaker.

L.O.V.E. – Key to overcoming the challenges

L – Let Go of Fear (Stage Anxiety)
In yoga, the first step is detachment—letting go of fear and tension.
In public speaking, fear comes from overthinking: What if I forget my words? What if people judge me? But just like in yoga, fear exists only in the mind.

Try this:
Before stepping on stage, take a deep breath and say to yourself,
“I am here to share, not to impress.”
Focus on serving your audience rather than worrying about yourself. The moment you detach from fear, you step into confidence.

O – Own Your Breath (Breath Control)

What happens when you hold your breath while doing yoga? You lose balance. The same happens when speaking—nervous speakers take short, shallow breaths, making their voice weak and shaky, start using filler words and take unnecessary pauses.

Yoga teaches us to control breath, and that’s the key to a powerful voice.

Try this:
Before speaking, inhale deeply through your nose for four seconds, hold for four seconds, and exhale slowly for six seconds. This calms the nerves and gives your voice strength.

Bonus Tip: The next time you’re on stage, pause before speaking—this simple act forces you to breathe deeply, commanding instant presence.

V – Visualize & Focus (Focus & Vocal Variety)

In meditation, we focus on a single point —whether it’s our breath, a mantra, or an image.
Great speakers do the same — they focus on their message and eliminate distractions.

Try this:
Before your speech, close your eyes for 30 seconds and visualize yourself speaking confidently. Imagine the audience nodding, smiling, and applauding. This mental rehearsal prepares your mind for success.

And here’s the magic:
When you focus on your message and emotions, the words just flow and your voice naturally becomes expressive and engaging—this is vocal variety!

E – Enthusiasm-Express with Presence (Expressiveness & Body Language)

In yoga, every movement is intentional. Similarly, in speaking, your body should be aligned with your words.
Think about the best speakers—are they stiff and robotic? No! They use gestures, facial expressions, and movement authentically.

Try this:
Move naturally — use open hand gestures, step forward for emphasis, and let your facial expressions match your message.

Enthusiasm is contagious! When you express yourself authentically, your audience connects with you.

The True Essence of L.O.V.E.

Public speaking is not about perfection or usage of complicated vocabulary; it’s about emotional balance, your presence, and mindfulness —just like yoga and meditation.

If you can create a balance by
● Let go of fear,
● Own your breath,
● Visualize and focus, and
● Express yourself with confidence…
Then you’re flowing when speaking—you’re inspiring.

About the author:
Kannan Gopal began his Toastmasters journey about a year ago at Mississauga Valley Toastmasters Club in Ontario, Canada. He also serves as the club’s Treasurer and volunteers as an Effective Speaking and Leadership coach for the 800 Black Forest Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Cadets.
With a passion for storytelling, Kannan crafts speeches that weave life lessons, inspiration, and motivation into every message. His ability to connect with audiences through engaging narratives has shaped his growth as a speaker. This blog is his way of sharing one such realization, and trusting it will offer both insight and inspiration—a read worth your time.

Credits:
Icons – https://www.flaticon.com/
Picture: https://pixabay.com/

Created by Kannan Gopal, Mississauga Valley Toastmasters