I’m constantly surprised by the number of people who paint
sitting down.
I’ve tried it. Sore feet, knees and hips notwithstanding, sitting
seems to restrain creativity. It’s hard to feel expansive sitting down. Unless
you’ve had a rod inserted in your spine, it doesn’t take long to begin to slide
and slump, getting lower and lower as the day goes on. It’s hard to paint
grandeur with your chin on your knees.
 |
| Me, in full expansion mode. |
During workshops, when a student comes to a point where
they’re not comfortable with progress, we usually have a little talk. “Stand up
straight”, I say. “Pull your shoulders back. You’re the boss, you own this. You
own your ideas. They’re good. Take a deep breath and make it yours!” My
cheerful exhortation echoes across the room. Inevitably said student grins awkwardly, peeks
over their shoulder to see who’s watching, and adopts a pose similar to the man
in blue tights.
And weird as it may sound, things go better after that.
Now, after reading “Presence, Bringing your Boldest Self toyour Biggest Challenges”, by Amy Cuddy , I am gobsmacked. Amy Cuddy, TED Talk darling, Harvard Business School professor and now bestselling author, shares
actual scientific studies that show that – drum roll - I’m right. Mark your
calendars please.
“Presence” is a book about how nonverbal behavior, the way
we stand or sit, influences us and others. Cuddy’s studies show without a doubt
that our bodies, the way we carry ourselves literally, allows us to be the best version of ourselves.
A few quotes:
“…holding an upright
position rather than a slumped one can yield many benefits.”
“Expansive postures also reduce anxiety and help us deal
with stress.”
“Expanding your body frees you to approach, act, and
persist.”
In other words, stand up in your workspace. Pull your shoulders back. Lift that chin,
put on your blue cape and paint like you know what you’re doing. Just like I said.
