Body Language of Arms Forward
Cue: Arms Forward
Synonym(s): Jesus Pose.
Description: A body position where the hands come forward in front of the body.
In One Sentence: Arms forward signals that attention is in the front of the body and one wishes to bring or repel that attention toward or away from themselves respectively.
How To Use it: Use the arms forward posture to welcome a crowd like a big embrace (the Jesus Pose). The hands may be used in an up and down motion to help emphasis elements in speech. The hands flipped upward can be used to show that one is offering and idea, turned down, to show that one is authoritative and fixed on a point of view, or turned palm out, to repel ideas or people. Therefore, it is the orientation of the palms coupled with the relative movement that dictates your use of the arms forward posture. The embodiment of the gesture is thought to activate certain emotions in people. Pulling toward or pushing away, for example, even without acting on an object, bring to consciousness relative cognitive perceptions. Thus, use your arms in unison with speech to create congruency between body and mind. People will see this as honesty and integrity.
Context: a) Business b) Courtship c) General
Verbal Translation: “Something at the front of my body requires attention”, “I’m drawing attention to myself.”
Variant: Hands might come forward fists clenched, palms up or down, in a chopping motion. See Baton Gesture, Arms Up Posture.
Cue In Action: a) When presenting at a conference, he raised his arms Jesus-like in front of him like a giant hug to accept the crowd’s adulation. b) She beckoned him to come toward her so she could give him a big hug by raising her arms in front. c) The teacher pushed her palm forward and yelled forcefully, “stop!” The students were getting too rough with one another.
Meaning and/or Motivation: Having the arms forward can mean that a person wishes to hug, to fight if fists are clenched, to repel (a physical attack, or likewise, their opinion) if the palms are facing vertical toward an opponent as if pushing away, begging, if palms are turned upward, and authoritative if palms are turned downward.
Cue Cluster: N/A
Body Language Category: Defensive, Threat displays, Expansive movements, Honest body language, Confident body language, Hostile body language, High confidence hand displays, Indicators of sexual interest (IOsI), Intention movements, Open body language.
Resources:
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