Submitted by Judith Cook Tucker and Pamela Rezach , Danbury, Connecticut
Idea posted October 26, 2004
Suggestion #1
Have your nervous Nellies try the Callahan technique. It has worked to cure my fear of flying, and it has helped others I've told to get over problems with public speaking presentations.
It is related to accupressure points. Simply rub the back of the hands along lines that generate from the V at the bottom of the fingers. Just rubbing the whole back of each hand will cover them. Then, find the sore spot just below the left collarbone. It will be sore only if the person is feeling nervous. Press hard in a circular motion for several seconds.
These two accupressure areas help stop the flood of adrenaline and thereby stop the physical symptoms of it coursing through one's body. It doesn't mean a person isn't aware there is a situation that might be nerve-wracking, but it stops the physical reaction to it. Gradually, it stops even the thoughts about it, since the body remains neutral. I swear it works. I fly everywhere now, even for vacations, with absolutely no apprehension. I even sleep well the night before a trip.
My son, a research scientist with a reserved personality, found it to be a godsend when he was tapped to do professional conference presentations for his research lab. He now travels all over the world presenting their findings with no problem. - Judith Cook Tucker; Danbury, Connecticut
Suggestion #2
About one or two months prior to a performance, I take a few minutes of most every class to discuss nerves. I consider it a topic that should be taught. We discuss that being "nervous" is a good thing! I even tell them, "You better be nervous!" However, I explain that there are two kinds of nerves: nerves because of NOT being prepared and nerves BECAUSE OF being prepared (the latter of which usually ends in success). The difference? The good nerves exist because of excitement. They make us better, they show we care, and they tell the audience we are ready and waiting to show off our talents.
I also explain that some might feel as if they have to go to the restroom, but they really don't. It's a good sign. It means their performance "juices" are anxious to explode into a great performance.
We discuss why we know we are ready. (Practice procedures, etc.) With young students I even set up a fake audience, and we sing for them. (i.e., an array of stuffed animals) It works!
To fully prepare the students, I have them start in the middle of a piece of music instead of the beginning. Then, I cue them to go to another section. Basically, we mix up the whole piece of music. Why? Because it's important to be ready for anything during a performance. All the students have to do is rely on ME! I'll pull you through any mistakes, tragedies, embarrassing moments, or funny episodes. I tell them to put all their dependence on my shoulders. All they have to do is follow me. I can make them look good. That's it! What ever goes wrong, I will handle. I let them know that something will go wrong and that it's okay. The important thing is how we handle it; that's what performance is all about. It's not having a perfect performance that is reasonable; it is having a performance that allows for the unexpected to happen. - Pamela Rezach