Magical Guide to Body Language Gestures and Postures

Body language is the non-verbal communication we use to interact with others. It includes hand signals, gestures, postures, and eye movement.

Body language gestures and postures are an accessible and universal way to express yourself and read your audience’s intentions without using words. Yet it’s essential to recognize that they have different connotations across cultures. Context and culture {Forbes} are everything.

Hand Signals

Hand signals are an unavoidable example of body language in communication. Hand signals can be used for many different purposes, from the classic fist-to-five scale to convey an idea, show support, or celebrate a victory.

Students, who provide many good body language examples, often use hand signals to express their thoughts and emotions in class.

Hand signals can also enhance communication in remote classrooms and video conferences. A recent study revealed that students who used hand signals with classmates during a video class reported more positive feelings and learning than those without such aids.

Additionally, when video conference attendees communicate with others via hand signals, their brains send a positive feedback loop to their bodies, making them feel better about themselves and their peers. This is similar to how social media likes can trigger an uplift in dopamine levels in the brain. Although hand raising at business meetings to gain attention or express approval is less common than in the classroom, these hand signal clues convey the same message.

Be mindful that many hand signals have different connotations in different cultures, so assess the context before using a gesture. For instance, the thumb-to-index finger gesture may be commonplace among English-speaking nations but not appreciated elsewhere.

Positive Hand Gestures

• Handshake.  A handshake is a positive body language gesture because it is a universal sign of respect and appreciation. It is a form of nonverbal communication that conveys trust, confidence, and friendliness. It can be seen as an invitation to further communication and is often used as a gesture of welcome or farewell. Handshakes also help to break down barriers and establish rapport between two people or groups. It is a simple way to make a positive first impression and start a conversation on a positive note.
• Thumbs up is a positive body language gesture because it is a universal sign of approval, agreement, and support. It is an informal way to express positive feelings and show enthusiasm. It is a nonverbal way to communicate encouragement and agreement, as well as to show appreciation and solidarity. It is also an informal way of giving someone a pat on the back and can be used to show approval and appreciation. Thumbs up is a simple yet powerful gesture that is used to create a positive and friendly atmosphere.
• Open palms are considered a positive body language gesture because they represent openness, honesty, and trustworthiness. People often display open palms when they are trying to make a strong connection with someone, such as during a job interview or when delivering a presentation. Open palms convey warmth and a willingness to cooperate, and the gesture can be used to put another person at ease or make them feel welcome. Additionally, open palms can signify that a person is not at all aggressive or confrontational, but instead is approaching the conversation with a positive attitude.

Negative Hand Gestures

• Folding of arms is seen as a negative body language gesture because it conveys a sense of defensiveness, protection, and reluctance. People often fold their arms when they are feeling angry, defensive, or uncomfortable, and this can create an impression of superiority and unwillingness to listen or cooperate. Folding of arms can also be seen as a sign of distrust or disapproval, as the person is protecting themselves from the other person. Additionally, folding of arms can be interpreted as a sign of boredom, as the person is not engaging in the conversation.
• Clenching fists is considered a negative body language gesture because it conveys a sense of anger, aggression, and frustration. Clenched fists can be seen as a sign that someone is feeling threatened or ready to defend themselves, and this can make others feel uncomfortable, anxious, and even scared. Additionally, clenching fists can be interpreted as a sign of defiance, as the person is expressing their unwillingness to accept what the other person is saying. Clenched fists can also be seen as a sign that someone is feeling overwhelmed or overwhelmed and is struggling to contain their emotions.
• Fiddling with objects is seen as a negative body language gesture because it conveys a sense of nervousness, insecurity, and lack of confidence. People often fiddle with objects when they are feeling anxious, uncomfortable, or stressed, and this can create an impression of insecurity and lack of self-assurance. Fiddling with objects can also be seen as a sign of impatience, as the person is trying to find a distraction from the conversation. Additionally, fiddling with objects can be interpreted as a sign of disinterest in the conversation.

Practice using one or two hand gestures at a time until you become confident and don’t worry about looking silly. This will allow you to recognize some of the subtle variations in these hand gestures, and to make better-informed decisions when faced with specific scenarios. You can practice them on the phone with friends or on video so that you become familiar with their appearance so you can use them automatically with other people.

Hand gestures are very important in public speaking {umw.edu}, especially with large audiences when the view of the speaker is limited. Stage actors are notorious for the “grand gesture” to emphasize feeling and emotion.

Legs and Knees

Legs and knees are body language examples that convey a person’s emotions to others. Just like hands and face, these signals can reveal an individual’s internal state of mind.

Crossed Legs

According to body language expert Steve Keyl, people who cross their legs tightly often feel insecure or uncertain about themselves. They may be trying to conceal feelings or make themselves appear smaller so they do not get noticed.

Conversely, a confident person does not cross their legs that way and doesn’t shrink away either.  A very subtle distinction is that people who cross their legs loosely or casually show a willingness to engage in conversation.  Extremely confident people will cross one leg over the other at the knee, and spread their arms at their full width across the chair to show that they are exclusively occupying this space.

Shaking and Bouncing Legs

Shaking one’s legs rapidly can often indicate feeling nervous, apprehensive, or overwhelmed. This could be due to something in the environment, such as loud noises or challenging people or situations.

Some people use leg shaking and bouncing as a way of venting energy. This habit may be shared among those who feel bored and disinterested or need to focus on something other than the conversation at hand.

Arms and legs can be effective communication tools, but they’re only sometimes easy to read. To ensure successful communication with someone, take time to learn their subtle body language signals for each area so you can communicate with them more effectively.

Feet Gestures and Postures

Foot gestures and postures express emotions, intentions, and feelings. Like all body language in communications, foot gestures may be subtle or overt; a receptive gesture that conveys someone is interested or closed to others or an aggressive one that signals an intention to control another person.

Foot Pointing

When someone points their foot towards you in conversation, it often indicates they are interested and want to chat. They might also give off a stealthy look that suggests they may approach you even if they seem fully engaged with the group. In the appropriate context, this could be interpreted as sign of hostility or aggression, as that person is setting their body to move towards you.

Similarly, suppose someone takes their foot away during a conversation. In that case, it usually indicates they are interested in something other than what you have to say or want to be somewhere else. They could be busy with something or have other plans, so they are refocusing on what matters most to them. In other words, you have failed to make a connection with this person at this stage of the conversation.

You can also point your foot upward when in a good mood or thinking something positive. For instance, when a companion announces an exciting camping trip, you might point your foot upwards to show excitement and anticipation.

Thus, it is essential to learn how to read foot signals in order to communicate effectively. Although most people aren’t aware of their feet’s positioning, this reliable indicator can tell you a great deal about someone. With this knowledge, you will be better equipped to handle social situations and build lasting relationships.

Some of the most common foot signals include pointing your foot forward, bouncing on your toes, and flexing your feet. There are also other gestures and postures you can use to communicate. Although everyone’s expressions differ, you can use your intuition to determine what others might be feeling by observing their body language.

Head Gestures and Postures

Head signals are essential components of body language. They convey your emotions, intentions, and values to others. By understanding and employing these cues, you can more effectively communicate with those around you.

Head tilts can be an indication that you are considering what information or situation is being presented to you. They also convey trust or vulnerability by tilting your head towards someone or exposing your neck. Additionally, tilting the head slightly to the side is interpreted as a sign of interest that invites further engagement.

Tilting the head back can be a condescending gesture that shows arrogance or judgment. This is undoubtedly the origin of the expression “looking down their nose at me”.

Shaking your head can convey feelings of anger, resentment, or disagreement. It may also serve as a symbol of power or control.

Shaking your head can be misinterpreted by others and may not always be a genuine signal. To maximize effectiveness, be clear about what you want to communicate at that point in the conversation, and avoid any awkward or offensive statements that will reinforce the head-shaking symbolism.

Nodding is a commonly used head gesture to express agreement. It has long been recorded among remote tribes such as the Australian Aborigines and is still commonly used today to signify approval or encouragement.

Slow nodding can be a polite sign that you’re paying attention to what is being said, but it could also be used as an indication that the person nodding has different thoughts.

Rapid nodding can also be indicative of impatience with you or a lack of focus when speaking. This can be an indication that they are done with what you are saying and now want to tell you a thing or two.

It’s essential to be aware that head signals are constantly evaluated for warmth (empathy, likeability, caring) and authority (power, credibility, status). Without an understanding of how these body language cues function, you could potentially miss out on opportunities to connect with people and form meaningful relationships.

The two most noticeable head signals are tilted head and nodding. But you can also detect other messages by looking at how someone stands. A tilted head could indicate interest or vulnerability, while nodding may signify agreement or conditional acceptance.

Subtle Body Language Examples and Meaning

Body language is often expressed through gestures and postures, which can be difficult to decipher as they are usually very subtle. For example, a person may be smiling and appear friendly, but if they are standing with their arms crossed or their feet pointed away from you, this could be a sign of discomfort or disinterest.

Similarly, someone may look away when you are speaking as a sign of boredom or disinterest, or they may lean forward when you are talking as a sign of interest or engagement. The challenge with interpreting body language is that it can be difficult to determine the exact meaning behind a gesture or posture.

Their culture and social norms often influence people’s body language, so it is important to be aware of this when trying to interpret someone’s body language. For example, what may be considered a sign of respect in one culture may be seen as aggressive or rude in another. In order to accurately interpret body language, it is important to be aware of the various body language clues that people send out.

Paying attention to their facial expressions, gestures, and postures can help to give a better understanding of their true feelings and intentions. It is also important to remember that body language is often subtle and can be difficult to interpret, so it is important to take the time to really observe and consider the context of the situation. One other factor is that body language clues are fluid and can change at any moment in a conversation or engagement. Harvard University is experimenting with AI to interpret nonverbal behavior in real-time.

Body Language Gestures and Postures to Look For and Learn From

Here are 10 positive body language gestures and postures.

1. Handshake
2. Thumbs up
3. Open palms
4. Nodding
5. Smiling
6. Eye contact
7. Leaning towards the speaker
8. Uncrossed arms
9. Facing the speaker
10. Head tilting

Here are 10 negative body language gestures and postures.

1. Folding of arms
2. Crossed legs
3. Scowling
4. Avoiding eye contact
5. Slouching
6. Yawning
7. Fiddling with objects
8. Sighing
9. Clenching fists
10. Foot tapping