Why do we need to warm up?

Do communicators really need to warm up their bodies and voices? Along with breathing, warming up is a place where I feel my clients question my methods. I understand! First, warmups look and sound really silly. So that’s not normal in an office. Second, nobody else does it, right? And we give talks, lead meetings, have Zoom calls all day long. Without warming up! So why do it?

When we communicate using our bodies, we do it better when our bodies are warmed up. Full stop. Think of an athlete. Would any athlete ever consider running onto the pitch, field, or court without warming up? Would any musician, ever, anywhere, not warm up? Would a singer, dancer, or actor step onto the stage or into the recording studio without warming up? Absolutely not. Why? Because their bodies are the vessels they depend upon to do their activity. And if that body is not ready, practiced, and present, there is no way that person can perform well.

And guess what, your body is the vessel for your communication. Your posture, your breath, your voice, your expression, all shift when you warm up. You become more alive, more present, more calm, your voice will be more resonant. Your presence will be more captivating. You will have more impact.

Why wouldn’t we give ourselves that advantage?

Try this: I’ve attached a 3 minute video here with a quick warmup you can do anywhere—in your car, at your desk, in a bathroom stall, anywhere. Of course, actors do this all the time, any place at all, which is hilarious and creates an audience out of simple bystanders.

Years ago I worked for the Ariel Group, a company who hires professional performers (check out clown, Kenny Raskin!), to teach corporate executives. Traveling to my first big gig, I wheeled my bag through Logan Airport looking for my gate when I saw what could only be the black-clad touring company of Cats: triangle pose; “may-me-mah-moh-moo;” cross-legged deep breathers; headphone-wearing silent jumping dancers. I thought, “Wow. Those are my people.” And guess what? They were my people! It was the Ariel Group facilitators warming up to…get on the airplane. Yes. It’s true. Actors warm up for everything.

You, of course, do not have to warm up for your next flight (though it feels great!).