Power is the name and posture is the game! Ignite your inner flame and add a little pep to your step, today is going to be a great day! Why? Because when you have a power posture, you have the ability to empower your mind and body. So pull back your shoulders, tuck in your tummy, and look straight ahead. A good power posture opens your body to be in a powerful state and dominate your day with high performance.
The typical 21st century posture is anything but powerful. The majority of the population presents with a closed, slumped forward posture contributing to the onset of many modern-day health disturbances such as migraines, fatigue, and respiratory and digestive issues. Rounded shoulders and forward head posture is a modern day epidemic in our society often caused by poor postural habits. Are you guilty of this?
How about this during a long day at the office?
Wouldn’t you rather look like this?
High power postures are open posture. The social dimension of our bodies is expressed through the arms and shoulders. When your arms are crossed and shoulders forward, it demonstrates weakness, anger, or fear. Open posture, with your shoulders back and hands on your hips, demonstrates power and high performance.
Research demonstrates that holding a power posture can change the dynamic of your physiology. Holding a power posture for even as few as 2 minutes has been demonstrated to increase levels of testosterone and reduce levels of cortisol produced in the body. Testosterone is the hormone associated with power and dominance. Cortisol is the stress hormone (often associated with weight gain). Simply changing your posture can change the physiologic function of your body to be in a state of power instead of stress!
Proper posture is also associated with higher levels of confidence and self-security. Especially during adolescents and developmental phases for teenagers. Those who present with a nice erect posture demonstrate more confidence and superiority among their peers. Those with a slumped forward posture, on the contrary, appear timid and shy.
In the game of life, the most confident person wins. Next time you approach a stressful situation, or feel off your A-game, combine a power posture with nice diaphragmatic breaths. This will calm your nerves and empower your mind and body to vibrate at a higher level of authority.
Written By:
Dr. Krista Burns DC, DrHA, CPEP, CPS
Doctor of Chiropractic
Doctor of Health Administration
Certified Postural Specialist
Co-Founder American Posture Institute
Posture by Design, Not by Circumstance
www.AmericanPostureInstitute.com