I use the centering process before any public speaking or any presentations or training sessions if I am not feeling confident. It is *almost* an automatic thing but if I am really in a scary situation like a confrontation with the boss then I have to consciously remember to get out of my stress feelings and get back into a centred feeling.

Not long after I learned how to do it I was in a work meeting which had the potential of being pretty bad and I used the technique. I could feel my sense of control over the situation growing, and I felt really confident & capable. I really surprised myself when I told the boss, (who was formidable, and who had the majority of the staff trained to quake in their boots - or pee in them - as soon as they saw him) that he was unapproachable - which sounds pretty tame, but believe me, it was a pretty brave or foolhardy act on my part.

I survived, he nearly choked, and after we both recovered from the shock we started getting on a whole lot better.

I always will remember that feeling of calm confidence I had after using the centering technique - it was like a power inside me, like gentle strength.

Helen