Posture and Stance Exercise

Activity:

1. You’ll need a mirror for the exercise (preferably a full-size) so that you can see your whole body.

2. Stand in front of the mirror but, before you do that, focus on making a conscious effort to stand naturally, just as you normally would.

3. Now look at yourself – have a really good look and ask yourself a simple question: ‘Do I look confident?’ If you don’t think so or you’re not sure, try experimenting a little.

4. Try holding your head up. Consciously push by getting your chin up to do this. Then breathe in and push your chest out a little. Keep your back straight. Then push your shoulders back.

5. You’re trying to look relaxed and yet aware and proud.

6. The simple act of positioning one foot slightly in front of the other can make a difference; try it to see. This can help you to look more confident when standing in front of or within a group. The alternative is to ‘plant’ yourself with both feet on the same line. Try this too and you’ll see that it doesn’t look quite so natural and probably doesn’t feel so natural either.

7. Always make sure you have a small gap between your feet when you’re standing; you’ll look rather stiff and tense if you keep them tight together.

8. Try to distribute 40 per cent of your weight through your heels and 60 per cent throughout the ball of your foot and your toes. This brings your body position slightly forward and helps you to look more alert and interested.

9. If you’re presenting to a group, as long as you don’t march up and down, there’s nothing wrong with moving a little as you talk. This should make your posture look more relaxed. It should also help you to engage everyone in the group.

10. Try moving your body to face people when you look at them, perhaps when asking or answering a question. Even if it’s just your upper body this change in posture can help to create a stronger link with them and send a confident message.