The powerful ancient signals our posture sends
The powerful ancient signals our posture sends
Thank you, dear readers. Your comments about our last discussion of the power of posture to influence people you meet in business or social settings tell me a lot more of us are breathing deep and standing strong!
Ok. Some people said, “We’ve learned about controlling the signals OUT we send out with posture. Now, tell us, what are others looking AT in our posture?”
Good points.
What ARE people actually looking for when they look at us?
Why do we get judged on this physical trait when a quick look at our resume, or a conversation would shed a light on who we really are and what we are capable of?
Here’s my theory.
I’ve felt this to be true ever since I experienced how a well turned out set of heels could make me more instantly well received than the well turned phrase or witticism I often counted on.
It’s about approach. Our primitive brain was designed to gather intel at a rate more rapid than our sophisticated selves do now.
It didn’t makes its decisions and tell us how we felt or whether to fight or flee based on scanning the car, the stock portfolio or the lineage of a potential friend. It just wanted to keep us safe with super split second assessments. It wanted to know who was the foe and who could be trusted. Who could stay close and have access to our bodies, food or tribal space.
This ‘lizard brain’ and eons of interaction with all kinds of socialized and human beasties is still with us. So, let’s take a light hearted look at what our inner social animal seeks as it looks at someone’s stance. What does it sense as it searches our flesh and the bones it fills out?
Here are some silent body language signals you too can read:
Feet: Forward pointing toes – signal interest. Toes pointing away – mean wavering interest bordering on a desire to escape.
Leg length: Good posture elongates a leg and in the cycle of life, long, strong and well muscled legs indicated good forward motion.
For hunter ancestors, running fast and well balanced meant being good providers with smarts and survival on two legs, instead of the conventional four of other animals. It’s symbolic of forward advancement now and the power to follow through, no matter what a being’s height.
Glutes: Glorious gluteus maximus signals staying power on the run and upright. That bit fills out business attire well; especially on women whose heels make it protrude and silently remind all of their ability to store resources to bear the tribe’s children.
Shoulders: Broad or narrow, all shoulders swivel and rotate well. This body part allows us to swing from branches and gym bars, check out the terrain and balance our mighty nether regions. Their big bones aid in spear throwing and love making!
Above all, sorry for the pun, they hold the head and therein sits a whole other set of chapters on body language.
So, next time… one of the biggest assets we have to give the go ahead to communication.
I hope you get lots of what we’ll look at next so that you will be led to lots of heart warming contact in this month of love.
VIP Even in urban settings it can provoke, defend and invite. It’s never too early or too late to capitalize on the power of your body’s parts and their ability to send messages.
