The Effects of Posture on Confidence – AMY CUDDY

Being an Actor, it is important to have an understanding of body language and how different emotions change a persons physicality; a confident person may stand tall in the centre of a room unashamedly occupying the space, while a shy self-conscious type will sit arms folded and hunched over in the corner. But what’s really interesting is how one can use this apparent ’cause and effect’ in reverse, manufacturing a genuine feeling of confidence by adopting a certain physicality.

A very useful tool for conquering audition or opening night nerves.

Social psychologist AMY CUDDY delivers this fascinating TED Talk on the way body language not only affects how others see us, but how it may also have the power to change how we see ourselves. Amy explains how “power posing” — standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident — can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain, boosting our confidence which ultimately can dramatically impact on our chances for success.

“If you feel like you shouldn’t be somewhere: Fake it. Do it not until you make it – but until you become it” AMY CUDDY

Try it for yourself before your next casting.