When I was a dance teacher, the lesson I was teaching would often veer off course. A dancer would mention something jokingly or out of the blue in the middle of class that would lead us down some path toward a philosophical discussion. Sometimes I would have seen or heard something among the students that put a particular subject on my heart, and I always found a way to make time to slip it into class somewhere.

These people probably heard more Ms. Amanda Speeches over the year than any other group!

I tried to use humor or tell personal stories to make my point. The kids would look at me bright-eyed, and we would giggle about my own silliness, one of my embarrassing moments in life, or some funny nonsense somebody said to me once.

Occasionally, we bonded over issues involving a student, say one was being bullied at school, so my down-the-rabbit-hole lecture of the day would focus on dealing with some little turd at school.

There were moments I put levity aside and plowed straight through to the real deal, leaving everyone in stunned silence probably wondering how we got there. Generally, those “shock and awe” lectures were reserved for behavior I needed to address right away such as lying (to me) or disrespect (within the studio). Perhaps I heard that somebody was getting in too deep with weed, drinking, or sex. Then EVERYBODY got the The Talk accompanied by The Warnings.

My favorite non-dance moments were the motivational ones. I think, even now, many dancers would agree that there was (is) nothing like a good Ms. Amanda Speech. One of the best, in my never-so-humble opinion…The Superman Stance.

The Superman Stance

At least ten years ago, I was in a tap class at the Dancelife Teacher Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. Upwards of 100 dance teachers crowded the portable, marley-covered dance floor under gigantic crystal chandeliers in a ballroom the size of Connecticut.

Diane Gudat (pronounced “goo-dot”) was the teacher, and as per usual, every time she opened her mouth, something valuable came out.

She had us stand in The Superman Stance – feet out wide, hands in fists on hips, chest lifted and out, chin up with head lifted proudly, eyes focused ahead. Diane said that in this seemingly-ridiculous posture, one could feel empowered, particularly if the posture was held for a few minutes. I actually ran to look this up after class, because I was that intrigued by it, and sure enough, it was true.

Guess what I took home, besides her tap progressions, to my dancers? Most all of my older students (and many younger ones!) can tell you that they’ve been asked to get into The Superman Stance more than once. It was (is) always a game-changer that pairs very well with a motivational Ms. Amanda Speech.

Step aside, Lois.

I had a friend in high school who always said he wanted to marry a woman named “Lois” so he could gallantly say, “Step aside, Lois.” like Superman. (I don’t think he married a “Lois”, so that’s too bad.)

This morning, I had to “step aside” when I saw a YouTube video featuring character, Amelia, on “Grey’s Anatomy”, having everyone in the operating room strike the Superman Stance before her brain surgery. (I’m not going to link to the clip, because it’s a little triggering.)

Don’t come for me (please!), but I’ve never seen a single episode of “Grey’s Anatomy”. And I didn’t know that Amy Cuddy, social psychologist, had really put this concept on the map inspiring its use in that “Grey’s Anatomy” episode in a now-popular TED Talk.

How could I NOT think of this? It took my searching YouTube for craniotomy info to find fictional Amelia’s rallying her surgery team, taken from Cuddy’s body language TED talk, which inspired others to take on this power posture, taught to me in a dance class by Diane Gudat, to remind me that I used to lecture my kids about it…

…and that I should still do it!

Take the stance!

I’m not sure I can (or have the chutzpah) to ask my surgical team to hit The Superman Stance before surgery. I don’t think it’ll necessarily make me faster than a speeding bullet behind this walker. But if I can stand on two feet, and most of the time, I can handle that, then I can hit that power pose and maybe feel a little more in control (or make my family laugh).

I’m not going to lie, I’m at home by myself today, and just ambled up from my chair to do it for one whole minute. It made me cry, but in a good way.

It made me remember why it’s necessary. We have power in us that we forget about but can recall if we try. It gives us back an element of control, somehow, in that we can at least conjure up some scrap and fight. There. You’re welcome for the Ms. Amanda Speech.

I’ve been feeling a little sorry for myself, and I freaking hate it. Self pity is not graceful, dignified, or powerful. I needed to be reminded about The Superman Stance. I’ve got 13 days left to hit it, then however long after that to keep it up through recovery.

Please show me yours!

#graceanddignity #powerinthepurple #pray4msa

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