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Showing posts with label elbows. Show all posts
Showing posts with label elbows. Show all posts

A Body Language Expert Breaks Down This Group's Collective Gesture

A Body Language Expert Breaks Down
This Group's Collective Gesture

Here's an image that Kentucky University basketball fans can probably relate to after Sunday's last-second loss in the NCAA Tournament to the University of North Carolina.


Video of fans riding an emotional rollercoaster at a sports bar during the last 20 seconds of the game — which ended in a two-point defeat for Kentucky and a trip to the Final Four for UNC— went viral on Twitter after the game. As the weight of the loss settled in, many expressed their dismay with the same non-verbal cue: hands on the top of the head, elbows out to the side.

The pose actually resembles a conventional "power pose" — but with one subtle change, body language expert Patti Wood told ATTN:
This is actually a "slight variation in a cue that means almost exactly the opposite to what they're using it for in this instance," Wood said.
Traditionally, the "crown-and-cape" pose — as Wood defines it — is used when a person wants or has power over a situation. Think about a business executive leaning back in their chair, hands behind their head and elbows extended outward.



The hand placement is important from a body language perspective, Wood explained. Most of the Kentucky fans have their hands on the top of their head, as opposed to behind their head, and that's meant "to protect from a blow." "What's interesting is that combination of the elbows out with the hands on top of the head for protection," Wood said. "It's a mixture of, 'Oh my god, we had the power and we lost it.' You've got the combination of the cape, which would have been a win, and the hands on top — we lost the win."

If you watch the video, you can understand where that emotional combination comes from. Down three points with 10 seconds on the clock, Kentucky's Malik Monk gets the ball and makes an impressive shot from the three-point line, tying up the game.


Then UNC's Luke Maye answers by hitting the game winning shot with less than a second left on the clock, ripping the rug out from under Kentucky fans' feet.

"There's a unity of emotion — you're feeling it as a group together and that's what that photo is showing," Wood said. "You're all feeling that same loss in that moment."

Link to actual article: 


Patti Wood, MA - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com.
     

Patti Analyzes Celebs Body Language for InTouch Magazine


Patti has analyzed the body language of Victoria Beckham, Lauren Conrad and Lea Michele for
In Touch Magazine to reveal what their body language is saying.  Read her insightful comments below!
 
 

1. Victoria Beckham

Signature stance: Left leg extended in front and kind of slouches on her left hip, too.

What does this pose reveal about Victoria Beckham?

The pose is very specific seductive come hither pose. The asymmetry sends the message I want to give myself to you, but you will have to work for it. The asymmetry makes you look a little longer and tilt your head so it seems like she could be giving this pose lying in bed. The low slouch and outward turned elbow makes her chest look more prominent and her profile slimmer.
 
 
 
 
2. Lauren Conrad

Lauren's signature stance: Hand on one hip and slight tilt to her head.

What does this pose reveal about Lauren Conrad? She wants to make her body look more hour glass shaped. The hand on the hip is also a way to look powerful, but just on one side the hand on the hip says, “I am strong, but often the hand and or elbow are behind her. Her feet are often held so close together belies her lack of confidence. ”

Does this pose accentuate a particular body part? It is a way to accentuate the hour glass silhouette.
 
 
 
 
 

Is this pose meant to flatter or look cutesy? It seems the hand on hip is a way to make her FEEL more confident. But her head tilt and low placed chin and feet show it doesn’t fully work. She is not confident in her iconic pose the way Beckman is.

What's she trying to convey with the head tilt and hand on hip? The head tilt here is submissive.

Anything else you'd like to add about Lauren's pose? I would coach her to lift up her body and place her feet slightly farther apart to feel more powerful.


 
 
 
 
 
3. Lea Michele

Lea's signature stance: Over the shoulder, very sultry gaze...

What does this pose reveal about Lea Michele? I love how she created this perfect combination of sultry and innocent. Perfect for her role and as she has matured so has her confidence in her iconic pose. See how she has changed it.

Does this pose accentuate a particular body part? Yes, her vulnerable back.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Is this pose meant to be super sexy and like a seductress? It's very come hither! It’s seducing by not showing. innocent. It reminds me of the young Brooke Shields sexy but innocent.

Anything else you'd like to add about Lea's pose? Notice that she is showing the back of the shoulder and the back of the ankle.










Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at http://PattiWood.net. Also check out the body language quiz on her YouTube Channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.