Body Language
Have you ever been walking behind somebody and you know exactly how they feel without having looked at their face? You suddenly get the sense that they are having a great day! Or, alternately, that something has happened, and today isn’t going well for them.
What about their walk is sending you these cues? How can you tell how somebody is feeling without looking at their face or hearing their story?
Body language
The man who walks slowly, shuffling his feet, shoulders rounded, head down - he’s had a bad day. And you can tell.
The woman who walks with a clipped pace, head held high, shoulders relaxed, arms swinging - something good is happening there, and we can all feel it.
Do you ever wonder about how others perceive you based on your body language?
I often talk about voice - how uptalking can make it seem like you’re asking permission to be there. How a resonant voice indicates confidence and surety. But what about your body?
Habits
Over time, we often sink into a posture that may not necessarily reflect what is happening in that very minute. But if you’ve experienced trauma, or you aren’t very confident, or you have low self esteem, chances are that you may have rounded your shoulders to take up less space. To curl into yourself. To hide. Your muscles begin to see this as their “new normal”, and they begin to become permanently changed. In turn, the rest of your body will follow suit. Hunched shoulders can add stress to your back, creating issues with your hips and ultimately your legs. Your neck will strain to compensate, and over time, you’ve completely changed your natural posture.
And it shows. You might be fighting against bias you didn’t even realize!
Or what about folding your arms across your chest or your stomach? Often teenagers, with newly developed bodies, will notice that they are being looked at differently, and try to hide from that. This becomes a habit, and over time, again, changes your entire physicality.
Good news!
Here is the good news: it’s all reversible. You have the power to, slowly, take charge of your body and retrain yourself to stand and carry your body in ways that exude confidence. That allow your musculature and your physicality to be open and strong. To release muscle tension (and sometimes emotions!) that have been stuck in pent up positioning for years.
Alexander Technique is not only an incredible tool for breath work and your voice but it also gives you back your body. It teaches your muscles to reorganize in a healthy and less damaging way. It allows energy to move freely, keeping you engaged. It allows your rib cage to open up, so that you can take deep breaths to support a resonant voice, and also to help to keep you calm and focused.
And.. get this… it gives you a strong physical presence. Not in a contrived way, but in a natural, healthy and truthful way.
The first step is to make sure you’ve got my free public speaking guide (get it by visiting the home page and signing up for my newsletter). Read the section on Standing (via Alexander Technique) and email me at megan@ubuskills.com with any questions!
Watch it live!
——————————
Did you like this blog post? You might also enjoy:
Nonverbal Communication in a Digital Era
Does your get up and go press the snooze button 17 times?
——————————
I help women calm their nerves, speak authoritatively and feel confident when it's time to speak.
I help professionals update their stature, read speeches while connecting with their audience and keep a steady focus.
I also help groups of people learn how to be incredible communicators by teaching excellent presentation tools.
If you’re ready to become a master presenter, I have a host of 1:1 coaching packages, group workshops or courses designed to help you confidently speak in any situation. Curious about how I can help you get past your public speaking fears? Click here to learn more: Work With Me.
