body position

Jennifer Smolinski 9/16/13

Daydreaming? Relaxed? Casual? Indifferent? Inattentive?

Arms behind head; leaning backwards; leg crossed over knee; distant gaze =

Any of the above

What does this person’s posture indicate?Despair? Angst? Frustration? Grief?

Head bent between knees, rounded back, hands over back of head,

elbows leaning on knees

Thoughtful? Reflective? Sad? Bored? Patient? Waiting?Posture makes it difficult to discern: hunched back and

shoulders, arms on legs, head bent looking down

STOP! WAIT! BACK OFF! Arm extended with flat hand palm out is a universal indicator to get someone to stop doing

something

What do the arms raised above the head and body suggest? This person’s posture is the universal stance for victory

and/or accomplishment

Flat on back with arms and legs extended, head flat on floor looking up: a much stronger indicator than the first slide that

the subject is relaxed.

What does the positioning of the thumb mean? It might not mean the same to everyone but we generally see the thumbs

up symbol as a general indicator of a job well done and positivity

What does this mean in your culture?

Not all cultures acknowledge this sign of greeting and respect. Arm outstretched with hand extended invites a

handshake in greeting only in some cultures.

What does this stance suggest to you? Arms raised with clenched fists suggest a universal sign of

readiness to fight, attack and/or defend

Does the position of her hands have more than one meaning?Hands with palms together pointing up could suggest prayer

although the legs crossed in front and straight back in addition to the hands suggest a yoga or meditation position.

How do you tell the difference and is there a difference?

READY, SET, GO! One leg bent in front with back leg outstretched behind, hands touching ground with back rounded and eyes looking forward suggest a universal

runners stance. Could it mean something else?

Body position can convey a whole host of feelings, emotions and messages.

Some provide effective communication by being strong in nature and widely recognized, such as the victory stance and an out thrust hand. Others, such as the hunched over position, may have more than one interpretation.

Body positions such as the runners stance and fighting stance have a universal acceptance in meaning. While we assume that positions such as the thumbs up and the handshake are universal in nature, they are universally accepted within certain cultures only, not worldwide.

Whatever the body position and cultural interpretation, people have the potential to send not only subtle messages but clear, strong and effective communication.