The Smiling Starfish

The Joy of the Smiling Starfish

 By Glenn Frank, Fall 2020

I begin every class I teach the same way. I encourage my students to participate in the “Smiling Starfish”. In my workshops and classes, we stand up together, strike an open pose with shoulders back, spread our legs a bit and reach for the stars. And we smile. Looking goofy together breaks the ice and establishes some trust. And from the individual’s perspective, striking a version of what social psychologist and author Amy Cuddy refers to as the power posture sets you up for success. I start every day with this 2 minute exercise.

So, please get up from where you are sitting. I’m with you in spirit.

The Smiling Starfish Steps

1. Legs apart

2. Shoulders back

3. Arms high

4. Stretch

5. A few deep breaths

6. And SMILE

You don't have to keep your arms up for the full time, but you do need to stick with the open stance. And keep smiling. Maybe you can conjure up a happy thought like a child laughing to make smiling easy. If nothing else, think about Patrick - SpongeBob SquarePants best friend -the quintessential smiling starfish!

As Cuddy’s research proves, how we hold our bodies impacts our minds. In other words, by commanding a powerful stance, we feel more powerful. By striking an open pose, we become more willing to try new things. Cuddy says holding an open stance for two minutes significantly reduces the amount of stress hormones the body produces. In fact, using the open stance to expunge butterflies is an old speaker’s trick. Stretching and a deep breathing have obvious physical benefits and smiling releases positive neurochemicals into your bloodstream.

This is the perfect combination of HPH and HPD (happiness per hour/dollar)!

So first thing tomorrow dont reach for your phone -reach for the stars!