Recent research has found that “high-power poses,” including leaning forward, can increase a person’s sense of feeling powerful (as measured by self-reporting and chemical tests). “Low-power poses,” including looking downward with hands on one’s lap, can increase a person’s sense of powerlessness.

You can images of the kinds of poses they’re talking about, along with greater details about the research, here. TIME Magazine has a similar report.

The results reminded me of why Kelly Young at Pebble Creek Labs reminds teachers at our school, and we remind our students, to “lean in” as one of the instructions we give when dividing students into small groups.