A few weeks ago, on Sunday I surprised my Dad for his 70th birthday by showing up with balloons. My older sister and step-mom prepared a big feast and we all had cake and gave him gifts. It was a successful and heartwarming surprise party!
On the table, there it was. A perfectly folded stack of the Sunday New York Times. I pulled the sections apart and skimmed the headlines but snatched the magazine up immediately when I finally found it snuggled into the center.
On the cover, there she was! One of my sh-eros – the woman who shared her research, discoveries, and thought-provoking life experience in a TEDtalk. The TEDtalk video went viral. I, for one, feature it on Yoga Current in a section called Body Language.
I read as much of the article as I could, and was intrigued by a few of things:
- I found it interesting to read about the company of mentors and colleagues she works alongside at Princeton and Harvard.
- I enjoyed learning about others who had written on the subject of Body Language and Power Poses.
- The article brought up the fact that her findings were questioned and even ridiculed by other social psychologists.
Ultimately, it was clear that her Tedtalk about Power Poses and Body Language went viral because it helped people. Her message resonated so clearly and powerfully with so many people, giving them courage to observe their emotional qualities and power to create significant shifts for periods of time. Her presentation of this research inspired people to set goals and ignited them with skills to redetermine their deep-seated patterns of anxiety and internal perception of inadequacy.
And I’d like to highlight that her research dynamized the perspective of “Fake it til you make it,” with “Fake it till you become it,” bringing attention to the difference between achievements and transformations. We see the same stepping stone path in the celebration of “Little Victories,” and “Flow,” shifting our focus from failure to success. This process of empowerment doesn’t just bring us into the present moment, it provides internal tools to embody ourselves in the moment so that we can persevere, achieve, become, and fulfil our destiny life, day after day.
That’s one of the many reasons I value my Yoga so much. I get to nurture the full spectrum of life – power, support, motivation, vulnerability, creativity, playfulness, and tranquility. So keep on moving, shaking, dancing, practicing, being, and becoming You! Take care of your body. Take care of your attitude. Take care of your spirit. Take care of your life. If you’d like to meet with me in person or online for consultations and sessions to pursue this embodied journey, please reach out. Email courtney@yogacurrent.com or send a message through a contact form.
Stay in touch~
Courtney
