"We know that our minds change our bodies; but, is it also true that our bodies change our minds?"
The above question was posed by social psychologist, Amy Cuddy, in her talk, Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are. The answer is a resounding yes! Science proves that standing in a posture of confidence--even when you don't feel confident--can actually increase your chance for success.
The reason is that high-power posing changes the physiological make-up of your brain. It increases your testosterone and decreases cortisol (stress hormone) levels. These hormone changes lead to feeling more confident, powerful, optimistic, assertive, less stressed, and increases your willingness to take risks...all in only two minutes!
Cuddy tells about an interesting study in which participants were asked to spit into a vile to measure hormone levels and then pose for two minutes in either a low-power pose or a high-power pose.
A low-power pose is a posture in which you make yourself "smaller." Hunching, folding arms, crossing legs and ankles, slouching, or any other posture that makes you take up less space are some common low-power poses.
A high-power pose is a posture in which you make yourself "bigger." Stretching out, crossing arms behind the head, extending the arms, standing with hands on hips, standing in a victory pose with arms raised over the head (like the one I included in this article which was taken after a personal victory of running my first 6-mile marathon), or any posture that makes you take up more space are examples of high-power poses.
After posing for two minutes, participants were asked to spit into a vile again. Here are the incredible results:
Testosterone levels changed:
High-Power Posers = 20% increase
Low-Power Posers = 10% decrease
Cortisol (Stress Hormone) levels changed:
High-Power Posers = 20% decrease
Low-Power Posers = 15% increase
Given the opportunity to gamble:
High-Power Posers were 86% willing to gamble
Low-Power Posers were 60% willing to gamble
(The increased willingness to gamble indicates that risk tolerance increases in high-power posers.)
Your body does change your mind. Your posture tells your brain you're either powerful or stressed. How can you benefit from this insightful research? When you need to pump up your confidence, do some high-power poses in private.
Raise your arms up over your head in a victory stance, stand with your hands on your hips--just make yourself bigger. It can give you the confidence you need to ask for what you want, help you to succeed in high-pressure situations, and give you the confidence to be your authentic self--and all in only two minutes!
This is just one of many simple yet profound strategies that can really change your life in amazing ways. Join me at the Whitby Courthouse Theatre on January 16th at 7-8:30pm and discover more strategies for living your greatest, most powerful life.
It's not too late!!!
Your Life, Your Design
Your Life, Your Design is the one program that will truly ignite the courage within you to live your best life. In this 90-minute seminar, you'll:
#1. Learn how to get from where you are now to exactly where you want to be.
#2. Release anything that's getting in the way of what you want to do, be, or have.
#3. Uncover your true authentic self.
#4. Gain the courage to live the life of your heart's desires.
#5. Free yourself from non-physical trappings, such as unhealthy thinking and negative belief systems.
#6. Let go of the fears that keeps you stuck and struggling.
#7. Uncover what you truly want and move forward into a happier future.
#8. Discover your purpose and gain true fulfillment.
Where? When? How Much?
This step by step journey to designing--and living--your best life takes place on:
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
7pm - 8:30pm
Whitby Courthouse Theatre
416 Centre St. South
Whitby, ON
Introductory Price
$49/Person
Or make two easy payments of $24.50/month
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When you purchase 3 or more tickets, we reduce your ticket price to
$39/person!
Mastercard and Visa are accepted
To Register:
Call 1-877-553-7397
or
Email: operator@denisemarek.com
