Open, Relaxed, and Power Body Language

Open Body Language

Open body language generally expresses relaxation or higher comfort. Open arms and hands express the persons desire not to hide anything from another. They are relaxed in their current situation. However, if a person is exhibiting a closed body language and then quickly changes to an open presentation, it exhibits an extreme change in emotion. Say if you are talking to a person and they are in a curled up fetal position exhibiting closed body language and then all of the sudden they are sitting up, feet planted on the ground, or sprang up to a upright stance you more than likely said something that triggered an extreme mood change. At this time, the open body language may not be presenting as relaxed at all but more of an aggressive or defensive body language. Determine quickly what was said that possibly caused the sudden mood swing so you can direct the conversation in a fashion that does not lead to physical attack.

Relaxed Body Language

Relaxed body language and open body language mock each other in the relaxed aspects. A person's breathing is slower than normal and steady, and the overall body affect is relaxed without tense muscle tone. Even skin tone color will be normal over all. Hands, feet, and arms are not fidgety or twitching and are laid loosely in their lap or rested. Facial expression is relaxed with a possible slight smile or relaxed mouth. Voice tone is steady with no exaggerated high or low tone fluctuations. The face will present without exaggerated frown lines, the eyes will mimic the mouth; if a slight smile is on the mouth, there will be a slight smile in the eyes, and the eyebrows will present at their natural level without tension.

Power Body Language

Power body language is a form of dominant body language but also has a rescue/hero aspect to it as well. People who use power body language on a regular basis are those who are in a position of authority or like to act as if they are. It can be a spouse or partner that tries to remain the power center in a relationship that uses power body language. If a person appears to always have control over your time and space, they are more than likely exhibiting a lot of power play body language, and this is one way they have achieved this power over you.
In the business world power is exhibited and acknowledged by the employees starting from the company parking lot. Those in positions of power always have the reserved and best parking spots. This is the beginning of dominating space and exhibiting one's status over another. They display their position and status from the car they drive to the size of the office they sit in, with a door that they can close to allow them the power to select when they want to deal with the hired help. They will take extended lunches, however have the hired help punch in and out to ensure they do not overextend the designated time given. Power handshakes are one way a person will demonstrate their power over another. Upon greeting, someone they feel is of lesser status then they are, the power player will give a firm handshake, draw the person in physically, grip the elbow of the arm they are shaking with opposite hand and hold the shake longer than a normal shake. If you want to counteract a power handshake, offer a limp, weak grip. As an extended handshake can make one feel uncomfortable, when exerting a power handshake and receiving a weak limp grip in return, the uncomfortable feeling is turned back on the power player. Power players will hold a gaze longer than normal, another way of making the receiver feel uneasy. Although the gaze is not threatening, it is just enough to make the receiver squirm a bit. Counteraction for a power gaze, just look away. Do not fall for the power play and get into a stare down. Breaking the gaze yourself gives you back your personal power. Power players will also dictate where another will sit, either by pulling out a chair for you with a gesture to sit, or gesturing with their hand towards a seat when offering you a chair. Whenever possible, if you want to counteract the power play, choose where and how you will sit before being directed. If you are meeting a person who is known for power plays, go early and get your seat first. Power players are great at making another wait on them. If there is a planned meeting, you can bet the power player will make everyone wait on them. Other common traits of power body language are invasion of personal space by standing close to another, touching while speaking such as putting a hand on another%u201Fs shoulder, and an aggressive walk.