Holding Space by Sarah Scharf

Author:Sarah Scharf
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Published: 2020-10-21T00:00:00+00:00

Body language clues

Here are some common theories on patterns of body language and gesture that can help you as you begin to look at yourself and others. Many of them are in the context of conversation, but elements can be applied to teaching when you begin to notice your tendencies.

Closing is a pattern of defending, hiding, refusing and denying:

• crossing arms or legs, pulling in shoulders, elbows and knees to protect organs and vulnerable parts

• turning hands from palms up to palms down

• curling fingers into the palm, protecting them (and also making a fist)

• turning feet to point toes inwards

• hunching down, with any or all of the above, making the body less threatening and a smaller target.

Crossing is a pattern associated with protecting, similar to closing:

• crossing arms across the body

• crossing just the hands or wrists

• holding hands

• intertwining the fingers

• crossing legs, either above the knee or at the ankles.

Enacting or shaping is a complex pattern of acting out thoughts:

• gesticulating with hands to show an idea, such as pounding a fist in anger

• re-enacting or acting out an idea

• pantomime

• arms and hands make shapes to reinforce words.

Moving away (not only a change of space between people) often shows refusal or denial:

• pulling back the head in fear, confusion or surprise

• pulling back arms or shoulders

• hollowing the chest, pulling it back

• turning away the head and, in the extreme, showing the back.

Moving forward is usually seeking or even attacking:

• reaching forward with arms and hands, giving, grabbing or striking

• pushing the head forward

• pressing hips forward

• leaning forward

• stepping forward.

Opening is a pattern of readiness to listen, acceptance and vulnerability or trust:

• raising the head from a chin-down position to looking forward

• unfolding arms

• holding open palms

• spreading palms in an opening circular move around from front to side

• turning hands over from palms-down to palms-up

• pointing toes outwards, with splayed feet

• standing with legs wide.

Preening is either insecurity, comfort seeking or flirtation:

• touching arms or hands or other part of the body in self-comfort

• cleaning hair, face or clothing

• stroking arms or hugging oneself.

Repetition often shows boredom, impatience, irritation, tension or repressed impulses:

• nodding or shaking the head

• tapping the teeth

• waggling the eyebrows

• swinging the arms

• clapping of hands

• waving with hands

• drumming of fingers

• swinging or bouncing a leg

• tapping of feet.

Striking usually shows aggression or enthusiasm—the body can be used in various ways to symbolically strike out at others:

• wagging a finger in admonishment

• shaking an entire arm

• jabbing a finger toward someone, as if prodding them

• poking a finger into an open hand or onto a table

• slapping a fist into an open hand or onto a table

• stamping the ground with a foot.

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