Gestures and Postures: Interpreting Arms, Hands and Legs

Open vs. closed postures: welcoming vs. defensive

Body posture is one of the most revealing nonverbal indicators and can be classified into two broad categories: open and closed.

An open posture is characterized by keeping the arms and legs uncrossed, often showing the palms of the hands. This type of posture communicates welcome, sincerity and confidence.

In contrast, a closed posture involves creating barriers with the body, such as firmly crossing the arms or legs. This posture is often interpreted as a sign of defensiveness, disagreement or discomfort.

An effective communicator is aware of his or her own posture and keeps it open to project an approachable and confident image.

The meaning of crossing one's arms and legs in different contexts

Although crossing arms and legs are classic gestures of a closed posture, their meaning is not absolute and depends crucially on the context.

Crossing the arms may indicate skepticism or a defensive barrier to an unconvincing idea.

Similarly, crossing the legs can be interpreted as a sign of evaluation, a reserved attitude or an attempt to conceal information.

However, it is a serious mistake to interpret these gestures in isolation.

A person may cross their arms simply because they are cold, or cross their legs because it is their most comfortable and relaxed position.

The key is always to look at gestures as part of a whole and within a specific situation.

How to use hand gestures to emphasize and give clarity to the message.

Hands are incredibly expressive tools that, when used correctly, can greatly enhance the verbal message.

The goal is not to make exaggerated or artificial movements, but to allow the hands to move naturally to accompany and reinforce the words.

Gestures such as using fingers to list points, showing open palms to indicate honesty, or using hands to describe a shape or process add a visual layer of information that facilitates understanding.

Proper use of hand gestures not only brings clarity, but also conveys dynamism and passion for the topic being presented.

Interpreting energy levels and self-esteem through posture

Beyond specific gestures, a person's overall posture can be a direct reflection of their internal state.

The way we hold our body often reveals our levels of self-esteem and inner energy.

An upright posture, with shoulders back and head held high, projects confidence, security and vitality.

Conversely, a slouched posture, with shoulders slumped and gaze directed to the ground, is often associated with insecurity, discouragement or exhaustion.

Paying attention to these global postural cues can give us a valuable clue about the mental and emotional state of our interlocutor.

Summary

Body posture can be classified as open or closed. An open posture, with arms and legs uncrossed, communicates welcome and confidence. A closed posture, such as crossing the arms, is usually interpreted as defense or disagreement.

Although crossing the arms is a closed posture gesture, its meaning depends on the context. It may indicate a defensive barrier, but it may also be that the person is simply cold, so it should never be interpreted in isolation.

A person's overall posture can be a reflection of their internal state, revealing their self-esteem and energy levels. An upright posture projects confidence and security, while a slouch is often associated with discouragement or insecurity.