The Ultimate Body Language Book

These legs are interested – note how they are crossed toward rather than away.
Blocking can happen through the creation distance and also with arms and legs. For example, it is
common for people to move away from things, and people they don’t like, and move closer to things
and people they do like. We might see distance forming when a particularly bad offer is tabled at a
boardroom between competing firms. The contract might be shoved away, or parties might lean away
from the table or away from the speaker or the feet might be moved toward the nearest exit. We call
this type of body language “distancing language.” The legs might be crossed away from detestable
people, so the outer part of the leg cuts off access to the ventral (the vulnerable) part of the body. In an
extreme version, the arms can grab the ankle when crossed away so as to lock it in place. This is an
unmistakable signal of rejection through it’s denial of access. The hands also display like and dislike.
When a couple is in disagreement they will be seen moving their hands away from their spouse, usually
off the table and onto their laps and when they agree their hands will be brought back up or moved
closer. These sorts of general agreement indicators happen free-flow in real time so they reflect the true
sentiment and the stimulus that has caused it.
Chapter 11 - Emotional Body Language
Blushing – The Colour Of Emotion
We are all familiar with blushing because we’ve all had to deal with it at some point or another.
However, most of us don’t understand the reason for it. Blushing is linked to adrenaline and cortisol
which are hormones that are released when we get excited, feel pressure or are nervous. Chronic stress
in our daily lives also drip these hormones into our blood streams potentially causing long term issues.
Adrenaline is released in order to prepare us to either fight or run away; the “fight or fight response”.
Adrenaline is tied to an increase in heart rate and breathing. The hormone also diverts blood flow from
the digestive system and shunts it to major muscle groups giving them a burst of energy. As a side
effect, our blood vessels that deliver blood to our faces dilate, meaning they relax or open, allowing
more blood to reach the surface of our face causing them to turn red.