H is for hero pose

A couple surgeons on the TV show Grey’s Anatomy utilized the superhero pose.

wonder-woman“When you’re weary, feeling small,” taking on the hero pose, specifically the stance of a comic book superhero may help.

“The ‘superhero stance’ — the physical pose in which the superhero stands with legs spread apart, arms on hips, elbows bent…. projects power. It’s an example of what psychologists refer to as an open posture, in which limbs are spread out in a way to take up more space…

“Open postures contrast with closed postures, in which the body takes up relatively little space. Numerous psychological studies have demonstrated that open postures convey a sense of the individual having power and closed postures convey a sense of the individual having little power.”

One article suggests the methodology: “Have a high-stakes event in the next few minutes? Before it begins, find a place to strike some grand heroic pose(s). Hold the aforementioned pose(s) for 2 minutes. That’s it.”

It has become so much of the culture that a couple of surgeons on the TV show Grey’s Anatomy utilized the technique.

Amy Cuddy, one of the researchers on power posing, along with Dana Carney and Andy Yap, has done a well-regarded TED talk on the topic.

John Marcotte has also done a TED talk, with an emphasis on getting women and girls to #PoseLikeASuperhero. He “challenges the audience to look beyond what is labeled as ‘girly’ or ‘feminine’ by covering everything from his superhero loving daughters, and the problem with genderized toy aisles, to the effects that Barbie, Mrs. Potato Head, ‘princess culture,’ and Frozen have on both girls and boys.”

Totally coincidentally, the Daughter is working on some Science Fair project involving the Pose, with herself as the subject. How one objectively measures feeling “better” I don’t know, yet.

abc18
ABC Wednesday – Round 18

Author: Roger

I'm a librarian. I hear music, even when it's not being played. I used to work at a comic book store, and it still informs my life. I won once on JEOPARDY! - ditto.

21 thoughts on “H is for hero pose”

  1. Maybe I’ll stand up and put on this pose to scare my cough away! Have a great week Roger. Hope the project gets an A+

  2. I am impressed by the girl with this hero pose! Thanks for writing this entree and all your work for abcw. I hope to be part of this meme for some time, though the past few months have been a bit difficult because of the two injuries which I got before Christmas.. Fortunately both injuries are improving.
    Wil, ABCW Team

  3. I never knew there was a title to it. I must be more aware of my poses and all the close women around me.
    Ann

  4. I remember it well that during my training we spent a whole class period on the need nowadays to have heroes (because there aren’t that many). Even though I’m visually oriented as a painter, am not into Hollywood poses (that’s what you have when you’re living in the same area, and friends work long hard hours on sets, etc.)
    so, I think to be a real hero, the need is for heroic deeds and life style …someone with a real back bone!

  5. I scared away a charging Squirrel (long story) with this method a couple weeks ago! Make yourself as large as possible and shout in a low tone to appear powerful. It worked on the Squirrel but I don’t think I would try it on a Mountain lion!
    Good Science fair idea, congratulate your daughter for promoting mental health and good self esteem!

  6. Wait, I have to do my superhero pose before I do the dishes. Just kidding. I do like the idea. It won’t hurt.

  7. Now I know where I’m going wrong when wearing my Superwoman outfit,
    I’ve got my stance all wrong…..Take note girls !!

    Best wishes,
    Di.(AKA Superwoman).

    ABCW team.

  8. The hero pose reminds me of the pose we’re supposed to take should we encounter a mountain lion on a hiking trail. Of course our arms are up and above our heads rather than on our hips.

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