TED Community » Carmen Eugenia Guevara

More About Me

I'm passionate about

Psychology, human mind, social behavior, spirituality, well-being, art (specially music).

An idea worth spreading

Happiness is usually not accomplished since it's pursued as if it was a goal, or a transitory state meant to be reached, while it's actually a trait to be observed and understood as our own essence; something that is already present in us; something that is there to be discovered rather than conquered.

Talk to me about

What you have learned from the most valuable experiences in your life, what you are certain of, what gives you hope in spite of anything that is wrong.

People don't know that I'm good at

Singing in a choir.

Comments

• TEDCred score: +0.40 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

• +1

  A reply on Conversation: What is the impact of Amy Cuddy's body language practice, in cognitive terms?

  Oct 19 2012: I think that body language can be, indeed, observed by others, but we can become aware of our own body language and as a result, induct changes in it. Since it's all connected, I also think (and that's the core argument of Amy Cuddy's talk) that these posture changes do have an impact at other levels, for example our attitude at the moment we practice that change. I think it goes both ways, and as some already mentioned in this conversation, maybe the key word here is "awarness", being capable of observing ourselves. Thanks a lot for your comment!

• A reply on Conversation: What is the impact of Amy Cuddy's body language practice, in cognitive terms?

  Oct 19 2012: Yes, as I mentioned previously I do understand the impact that posture has on hormones as testosterone and cortisol, but my doubt was more directly related to the cognitive process that happens as a result of this chemical change. To be more precise, in terms of thoughts and cognitive dissonace. Sure thing, thoughts are modified too as result of posture change, but I still wonder how exactly this happens.. very interesting topic! thanks for your comment.
• +1

  A reply on Conversation: What is the impact of Amy Cuddy's body language practice, in cognitive terms?

  Oct 18 2012: I guess if we just fake it till we make it, but not until we become it, then maybe we would be a little bit like "impostors", actors playing briefly a role but for a good cause, right? at least to have a temporary accomplishment, someone insecure could act as an assertive and confident person and succeed at something.
  Even so, I think that no one wants to feel like an actor. I think what Amy really meant is that this faking is kind of "taking the chance to believe that we are able to do it" (... because after all, maybe we ARE able).
  Thanks for yor comment!

• A reply on Conversation: What is the impact of Amy Cuddy's body language practice, in cognitive terms?

  Oct 18 2012: Hello colleague! Yes, it is definitely a complex field! but it would't be a challenge otherwise, thanks a lot for the recommendations, I'll look for the talk about the divided brain and the thesis by D. Fischman.
  Thank you for your comment!
• +1

  A reply on Conversation: What is the impact of Amy Cuddy's body language practice, in cognitive terms?

  Oct 18 2012: I agree, and the wonderful thing is that it goes both ways. Thoughts and emotions can reflect on posture but also can be influenced by posture, I also thought it was a wonderful talk, also Amy's testimony is just absolutely moving. Thanks for your comment, Andrey.

• A reply on Conversation: What is the impact of Amy Cuddy's body language practice, in cognitive terms?

  Oct 15 2012: I made the posture change and certainly I noticed the internal changes... As Rodolfo mentioned in this same conversation, awarness is a key word. Thanks for your comment!

• A reply on Conversation: What is the impact of Amy Cuddy's body language practice, in cognitive terms?

  Oct 15 2012: Thank you Ed for that suggestion, I would like to read the issue of the magazine New Yorker, but I can only access it online (I live in Central America), has that issue been published in the internet? Thanks a lot!

• A reply on Conversation: What is the impact of Amy Cuddy's body language practice, in cognitive terms?

  Oct 15 2012: I agree, awareness of posture may have a deeper impact in the long term, with constant practice. But it still it's interesting that a very short-term posture change can produce such positive changes as Amy Cuddy described. Thank you for your comment!