POWER POSITIONS TO IMPROVE YOUR PHYSIOLOGY
A few years ago I listened to a TED Talk by Amy Cuddy about how your Body Language can shape who you are.
The talk was profound as Amy went on to explain how posture can negatively or positively affect your body's physiology.
How you Sit
How you Stand
How you Shake Hands
How you Walk into a Room
If you think about it you can always pick out the Confident and the Stressed individual in any social situation. Their body's are putting that energy out into the world.
When you see a Confident individual you see a big smile, walking tall, sit up in a chair so they can be an active participant in conversation.
Then when you see a Stressed individual you see an aimless face stuck in thought, walking irratic and slouching in the chair avoiding eye contact.
Now there is nothing wrong with having bad days but knowing the information I want to share with you, you may be able to salvage those tough days and prevent future events from occuring.
When the body is under stress whether that is perceived stress, emotional stress, physical stress, etc. our body's will respond in muscular flexion. All of the muscles in your neck, shoulders and hips are shortened.
This will manifest physically as a hunched upper back, forward shoulders, tight hips adding to the systemic stress of the body. Studies have shown that chronic exposure to stress can lead to musckuloskeletal pains, digestive tract tension, decreased hormonal production and decreased energy to name a few.
This is typically the point in time when I end up consulting with clients. They want to be out of pain, manage stress, increase energy and lose bodyfat.
There is three main approaches I take when clients are at this point.
1. Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition Guideline
Protein Goals
Water Goals
Modified Elimination Diet
2. Improve Posture through a Structural Balance Program
Individualized Training Based on Strength Ratio's
Improve Strength Imbalances
3-4x/week Weight Training
3. Tension Releasing Activity
Releasing Superficial Tension (G.E.R.T, ART, FST, Gua Sha)
Releasing Mindful Tension (TM, Mediation, 4-7-8 Breathwork)
With better posture from a Structural Strength standpoint you now have the ability to manipulate your physiology.
Let me explain...
Studies have shown that Power Positions or Postures can create a hormonal cascades that will positively effect you.
They say that standing in Power Positions like Superman on a daily basis you can:
INCREASE Testosterone by 20%
DECREASE Stress hormone Cortisol by 25%
INCREASE Risk Tolerance in Life by 33%
Fascinating that just by manipulating our stance and posture can have massive benefits to you life. These are the little hacks in life that can have a compounding effect for your future.
Next time you are in line for Coffee or when you walk into your next business meeting, be cognizant of your posture. Make sure you are setting yourself up for success.
Steven Nickel provides a Tailor-Made Fitness Experience for the individual who wants to acquire high quality results. Providing Exclusive Personal Training, Made to Measure Coaching and Ready to Train Collections. To learn more Inquire Here or write to steven@stevennickel.com
