4 'Power Poses' That Will Instantly Boost Your Confidence

Do you recall a time in your high school or uni days when you struggled to find the courage to face a crowd? What about when you wanted to become more confident but didn't know where to start? 

Some of us might get a confidence boost from sleek outfits or cute makeup.  But if we are to believe the magic that power poses seem to bring, a commanding and mighty stance is all we need to make us feel all-powerful. 

In this article, we’ll talk about power poses, specifically what they are, and a bit about their origin. Plus, we’ll discuss power poses that will boost your confidence instantly.

What Are Power Poses?

So what really is power posing?

Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist at Harvard Business School, defines it as “adopting the stances associated with confidence, power and achievement”. In adopting high-power poses, a person experiences a great shift in how he or she thinks and feels, impacting his or her mind. So, power poses are simply about how to position your body to  improve your self-esteem.

Are you ready for a natural confidence booster?  We have four mighty poses for you to try.

Power pose 1: Victory

Did you notice that sportsmen who compete in races usually raise their arms triumphantly after winning? Or does your favorite rockstar raise their arms while performing? That victory pose can help you win, too.

Simply raise your arms or fists above your head and form a “V”. Imagine that you just won the biggest competition in the world— or that you’re a pop star rocking your hit song in a jam-packed stadium. This pose naturally comes to us when we’re feeling celebratory, so what we’re doing here is simply taking it the other way around. We raise our arms and create feelings of power and triumph. After all, rising above your insecurities with a power pose is already worth celebrating.

Power pose 2: Wonder Woman

Imagine for a moment that you’re Wonder Woman. You’re Gal Gadot - standing in front of a full length mirror, standing up right, with your arms up on your hips, chest and head both lifted. Hold that pose for two minutes. Hold it. Now, are you feeling it? Are you already getting that I-can-do-anything vibe? 

This pose can up the testosterone and cut down cortisol levels in your body, upping your dominance and lowering your stress. Being a superhero means so much more than wearing a cape or having super strength. It takes a lot of confidence and bravery to go through the challenges of life. Most of the time, you just need to project that self-confidence. So, go conquer the day, Wonder Woman!

Power pose 3: Commander

Are you ready to pitch your next big idea to your supervisor?

You’re in luck! Our next pose is all about how to secure a deal. If you’re presenting your pitch and you’re down to the last part of your slideshow, look for a nearby desk or chair. Lean slightly forward and plant your hands on the table or chair as you deliver your bottom-line offer. This position allows you to command the room without being too intimidating. Stand tall and make sure your hold is firm. Soon enough, you’ll get the people in the room nodding in agreement.

Power pose 4: Salutation

Where else can you get the ultimate energy boost if not from the brightest energy source on earth? 

Our last pose involves facing the sun while you lift your chest and head, outstretch your arms, and plant your feet firmly on the ground. Your palms should also be outstretched and facing the sun. This power pose gives a liberating feeling. In some religions, it is even a stance used when giving praise. So, there’s something really spiritual and uplifting about the salutation pose. It’s the perfect pose to greet a new day!

Why Power Poses Matter

In the beginning, Cuddy backed up her studies with an experiment showing that those who held high-power poses for as short as two minutes had more boldness to take risk, an increase in feelings of dominance, and a decrease in stress levels. Those with low-power poses had contradictory results. 

Convinced yet? Some netizens shared their own experience with one musician saying that he had the best performance in his life when he tried doing the power poses before he went on stage. Another attributed her passing her job interview due to the power that the poses conferred to her body and mind. 

Final Words

Though some naysayers are not swayed by Cuddy’s experiments and lectures, one thing is for sure. We all have days when we just want to have that extra boost, feel more powerful or more beautiful than how we usually perceive ourselves to be. Sometimes, even our best outfits or makeup looks aren’t enough. 

So, why not sport a power pose?

It’s 2 minutes out of the 1,440 you have in a day. You’re not even going to fork out a single penny. So go ahead and try your Victory, Wonder Woman, Commander, or Salutation pose and be surprised by the powerful transformation that awaits you!