When adjusting and testing: Person A stands in a natural posture facing in the direction of the arrow The feet should be placed at somewhat less than the width of the hips. The knees are not locked and not bent, but just ever so much feeling soft. The head and neck are an extension of the spine and come straight up from the spine, and have the same basic alignment as the spine. Person B stands in line with Person A’s shoulders and facing Person A. (See diagram.)

Person B helps person A to adjust their posture. Pay attention to the head and neck, the sway in the lower back, and the angle of the trunk, which should appear to be ever so much forward from center.
Once Person B feels like they have Person A “standing with grace and power” then Person B is to take their right hand and place the fingertips and the base of the palm of the right hand, on the center of the upper chest of Person A. (Near the top of the rib cage.)
Let Person A have a moment to acclimate to the touch, while both people take a fairly deep breath.
Person B then pushes lightly but firmly against Person A to see if they are indeed balanced. Push according to the current ability of Person A, and NOT with the intent of pushing them over. You should push with an amount of power that facilitates Person A working at between 95% and 105% of their current ability (Their “Power Learning” range). This is very important. Push them too hard and they will learn very little. Push them too softly and they will learn very little.
When being pushed, Person A should have a sense that the force of the push travels mainly in two directions - Up and out of the top of the skull, and Down and through the legs and feet. The push should help Person A to feel as if their spine is being elongated ever so much, while at the same time feeling that the push “grounds” them.
Person A should be quite careful to NOT brace against the force of the push in order to maintain balance. Breathe easily and feel the energy run throughout your entire body.

Find one or two people to practice this with so that you can learn:
A) How to better adjust your own posture.
B) What good posture looks like in others, and how you can help others maintain a posture of grace and power.
C) How to attune yourself to a partner by learning how to work in their 95%-105% Power Learning range.

You can also do this exercise from a seated position. If so, Person A will need to sit somewhat close to the edge of their chair.


Possible Additional Activities

1) Prior to getting into position, develop an "as if" statement. You make a statement about what you would like to accomplish "AS IF" it was already accomplished.
Once you have the statement clearly in mind, then go ahead and do the practice, and from time to time, in a nice, slow, relaxed rhythm, repeat your "as if" statement to yourself. If you are by yourself, say your "as if" statement out loud.
At the same time that you are doing all of this, notice from time to time how various aspects of your experience change.

2) Do the practice while practicing giving a speech, or making a declaration to someone.


Practices index