2. Daydreaming? Relaxed? Casual? Indifferent? Inattentive?
Arms behind head; leaning backwards; leg crossed over knee; distant gaze =
Any of the above
3. 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
4. Thoughtful? Reflective? Sad? Bored? Patient? Waiting?
Posture makes it difficult to discern: hunched back and shoulders,
arms on legs, head bent looking down
5. STOP! WAIT! BACK OFF! Arm extended with flat hand palm out is a
universal indicator to get someone to stop doing something
6. What do the arms raised above the head and body suggest? This
person’s posture is the universal stance for victory and/or
accomplishment
7. 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.
8. 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
9. 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.
10. What does this stance suggest to you?
Arms raised with clenched fists suggest a universal sign of readiness to
fight, attack and/or defend
11. 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?
12. 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?
13. 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.
