The Ultimate Body Language Book

ecause it suppresses the brains ability to function. So for our purpose, the drunk makes a nice example
of open body language since he lacks fear, but even if he did, he’d still lack the coordination and
strength to carry out a defensive posture.
As a rule of thumb, closed body language happens whenever one of our limbs crosses the mid-point of
our bodies. Such is the case during leg and arm crossing. Open postures, on the other hand, happen
when the legs and arms remain un-crossed leaving the torso and groin exposed. Of course there are
various ways in which the legs and arms can be crossed and these all mean different things which we
cover next.
Chapter 7 - Opened Mind Opened Body Closed Mind Closed Body
The Meaning Behind Arm Crossing
Depending on the context, arm crossing might mean someone is physically cold – or emotionally cold.
Arms in the non-verbal world are shields. Folding the arms across the body is like cutting off access to
our core that houses our vital organs, our heart and lungs. Just like putting up a shield, the arms protect
us, not only from physical attack which can elicit closed body language, but it also protects us from
unwanted outside views which we do not agree with. Therefore, having the arms across the chest can
mean that either a physical threat or emotional threat is present. Arms crossed, in meeting or
conversation means that the person is defensive, negative, uncertain and insecure and naturally, what is
being asked of them will be met with disagreement.