General Description:
A power pose is a standing posture that a person associates with strength and power. Studies link “stable” and “strong” postures to an increased feeling of assertiveness and confidence. A study published in 2010 even found that power poses have a physiological effect on the secretion of hormones, raising testosterone levels and lowering the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol. Findings showed that long-term practice of power poses could positively affect self-perception (Carney, 2010; Cuddy, 2012). Combining power poses in sensorimotor play (as in imitation games), symbolic association (Superman), and daily routines (walking on fences, washing high windows) regularly can improve a child’s hormonal profile, enhancing their sense of security increasing well-being..
When is it suitable? : When the child is anxious or has low self-confidence
Objectives:
- Increasing the child’s sense of self-confidence
- Increasing the child’s sense of comfort
- Empowering the child
Tools:
-Games and routine activities which require spread postures and simulate power poses -Acquaintance with various poses (victory pose, superhero stance, etc.)
Why are power poses useful?
- They raise good feelings and feelings of assertiveness
- Have a positive impact on the child’s well-being and their sense of security in the world.
- Can lead to sustained hormonal (physiological) benefits with prolonged practice.
Examples:
Example 1– Transition from sensorimotor play to representative symbolic play
Lifting the baby in the air like an airplane
Transition to the child running with arms outstretched to the sides like an airplane
Example 2- The transition from sensorimotor play to complex symbolic play
“A.” Has low self-confidence and is prone to reclining, sitting, and closed postures. In the treatment room, she is familiarized with symbolic play as a queen. The play invovles a gradual transition from closed postures to spread-out postures mimicking power poses – from sitting on the throne to standing upright on the table with her hands on her sides around her waist, similar to a ruling queen. It was evident that the physical transitions introduced a sense of security in the rising excitement of her voice and her increased confidence in the room environment.
Example 3 – Creating a physical-emotional-cognitive connection –
“K” fails to enjoy winning a board game. To promote mental connections of pleasure and a sense of empowerment when winning, he is encouraged to practice power poses every time he wins a game. K gets on the chair and raises his hands to the sides (similar to an Olympic medalist). After practicing power poses in conjunction with winning games in the home environment and therapy, K. began to form connections and verbally express enjoyment of victory, physically expressing his excitement by jumping to stand after a win.
More examples of symbolic-sensorimotor play –
- Holding the child as an airplane in the air
- Encouragement to stand tall on a “stage.”
- Victory poses
- Superman pose
- Climbing an imaginary mountain
- And more …
Integration into the daily routine-
- Cleaning tasks that require standing upright and spreading motions with the hands – cleaning windows/mirrors, organizing high cabinets, removing objects from high shelves, and the like.
- Elevation of significant objects for the child.
- A combination of routes that involve climbing and heights, ending with a victory pose.
- Fun games that include height and peripheral motion.
- Walking at a height – on fences and objects in the house.
- Motion-imitation play that includes wide postures and victory poses.
Additional Links:
Carney, Dana R.; Cuddy, Amy J.C.; Yap, Andy J. (2010). “Power Posing: Brief Nonverbal Displays Affect Neuroendocrine Levels and Risk Tolerance”. Psychological Science. 21 (10): 1363 1368. doi:10.1177/0956797610383437
Cuddy, A. (2012). “Your body language may shape who you are”. TED. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
(Link to Ted’s lecture- https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_may_shape_who_you_are?language=hehttps://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_may_uape_ho_wage_ho