The movement secret behind every successful Cannes power pose—and how to use it yourself

Cannes is the ultimate stage — a dazzling blur of camera flashes, couture and choreography, where the simple act of walking up the Palais steps becomes an exercise in composure. But what happens before the spectacle in the hushed hotel suite, before the stylist zips the gown, or the elevator doors ding open? It’s in that in-between space that a certain kind of ritual has quietly taken root, a discreet yet powerful practice that allows the world’s most photographed women to command the lens.

Now, a discerning cohort of red-carpet regulars is embracing an entirely new kind of preparation: brief, targeted bursts of mood-boosting movement designed to steady nerves, ground energy and improve posture. It’s what DanceBody’s founder Katia Pryce – who has trained everyone from Madonna and Kate Hudson to Victoria’s Secret models and high-powered Wall Street execs – has dubbed the "Red Carpet Reset": a micro-movement sequence designed to channel nerves into a captivating presence.

This isn’t a fleeting TikTok trend. Instead, this ritual flourishes within the most intimate of spaces: the confines of a hotel suite, the privacy of a bathroom, even the brief interlude of an elevator ascent en route to a premiere. It demands no mat and no exertion that elicits a single bead of sweat; just a few targeted movements to subtly recalibrate posture, ignite a gentle cascade of endorphins and quiet the buzzing static of pre-event anticipation.

And there’s science to back it up. A recent study from the University of Sydney revealed that dance, remarkably, surpasses all other forms of exercise in its capacity to significantly enhance mental wellbeing. Even a few fleeting moments of intentional movement possess the power to demonstrably mitigate stress, elevate mood and sharpen mental clarity.

Indeed, a constellation of the world’s most photographed women – from Zendaya and Jennifer Lopez to Kate Hudson and Beyoncé – discreetly swear by the power of movement to calm their nerves before red carpets, performances and public appearances. Zendaya, who never fails to deliver a masterclass in poise, has long embraced mini workouts and dance routines before her most significant moments. A former Dancing with the Stars finalist, she has revealed that even a few minutes of light movement helps settle her nerves and profoundly ground her back into her body. Similarly, Jennifer Lopez, renowned for her electrifying stage presence and immaculate red-carpet appearances, has often credited dance rehearsals as her personal sanctuary – a profound way to both prepare physically and steady herself emotionally. "I need to move," she revealed to Harper’s Bazaar US. "It’s how I find my focus."

She’s certainly not alone in this conviction. Beyoncé, in her Homecoming documentary, described movement as a form of sacred prayer before going on stage. “My body is the instrument,” she declared. “I have to honour it.” Likewise, Lady Gaga has spoken candidly about dancing backstage before appearances to combat anxiety and connect to a sense of uninhibited play.

For celebrities who dedicate hours to preparing for these moments — hair, make-up, fittings, rehearsals — Pryce’s "Red Carpet Reset" offers something refreshingly autonomous: a few seconds of inner control before surrendering to the public gaze. And it can be adapted for your next big moment, too; whether you’re going on a first date, commanding a pivotal boardroom, or simply navigating a demanding day, a quick reset can be the ultimate key to transforming nerves into excitement or a calming sense of control.

 

Because true sophistication today isn’t solely about your external image – it’s about your energy and how you arrive: embodied, present and radiating the confidence to be utterly, authentically yourself.

And with that, we bring you Katia Pryce’s "Red Carpet Reset" – a series of five nuanced, restorative movements that fuse the precision of dancer alignment with an invigorating surge of energy:

Chest Openers: Outstretch your arms to the side straight, bring them together in front of your chest and open them again to get that energy moving. This is a grounding breath translated into motion, expanding the lungs and inviting a sense of calm, dispelling any latent tightness born of anticipation. This expansive gesture not only intrinsically improves posture but also signals openness and an unwavering self-assurance.

Shoulder Circles: With one arm long to the side, swing your arm all the way around 360 degrees to really open and pull back your shoulders. It’s a movement designed to unlock entrenched tension and subtly yet powerfully realign posture.

Oblique Crunches: Engage your abs and elongate your spine. Raise one arm overhead straight, pull your elbow down as you raise your same knee up to meet it at the side by squeezing your obliques.

Ballet Stretch: To lengthen your body and release tension along your side, reach one arm up and over your head. Gently turn your chin away from your chest, then lean as far as you comfortably can to the opposite side, feeling a deep, expansive stretch through your ribs and waist.

Hip Mobility: Ground yourself and shake it out by placing your hands on your hips, bending your knees, and slowly creating a box square with your hips. First move your hips to the right, then the front, then the left, then back without moving anything else. This cultivates an intrinsic sense of balance and effortless control. 

Lead image: Getty Images

This article originally appeared on Harper'sBazaar.com/uk

 

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