​Power Postures to Make You Feel Stronger

Every once in a while, we need a boost, whether it's a shot of confidence before asking for a raise or a bump of personal power before a presentation. Stretches are a great way to flood yourself with energy and confidence. With just a few small adjustments, you can stretch out muscle groups in the chest, allowing more oxygen into the lungs and bring clarity to the mind so that you feel stronger and more in control of your destiny.

Here, then, are five moves to give you a power boost, as demonstrated by powerful figures throughout art history.

Nike of Samothrace

Often called "Winged Victory", this famous sculpture housed in The Louvre has been inspiring humans to reach out toward the exaltation of winning since the second century BC.

This pose is very simple to execute. Stand tall with feet placed hips width apart. Raise your arms out like the wings of Victory, breathing into your sternum and raising your head high. Hold for 30 seconds and release with control.

We Can Do It

Rosie the Riveter was created in 1943 by J. Howard Miller to boost morale at Westinghouse Electric. Since then, this image has been used in countless permutations as a call to arms for women the world over.

While standing in the same position as the previous pose, twist the torso so that the shoulder faces front. Curl the forward arm, flexing the bicep, and breathe all the nervous energy into the core. This takes the shakes from the hands and pushes them to where they can be better controlled, the belly. Hold for 15 seconds, and switch sides.

Washington Crossing the Delaware

This iconic painting from American History reminds us all of the ingenuity of the human spirit when it seems all is lost. Painted by Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze in 1851, it shows George Washington proudly facing the dawn before they unleashed their surprise attack against the German Hessian Allies.

To pull this pose off, stand with one foot planted into the ground and the other on the seat of a chair. Place one fist on the thigh of the bent leg and the other fist held to the heart. Hold for three deep breaths and switch.

La Maja Vestida

The clothed version of La Maja Desnuda, La Maja Vestida is a masterpiece in which Francisco created a social commotion with the unabashed gaze of his model. Looking at either painting, the viewer can feel her own the room, arms up and body open, daring someone to object.

This pose can be done either standing or sitting. Holding the body upright, as if there is a string pulling up the sternum, interlace the fingers behind the head. Breathe deeply, and hold a steady, confident stare at your imagined opponent. Hold for 30 seconds.

Next time you need to take an important walk down the hall or try something new, give yourself the confidence you need to pull it off by practicing these simple postures first.