Facial expressions and body posture are inseparable. That’s what researchers at Tilburg University in the Netherlands have found. When perceiving a person, the brain cannot separate the emotional expression of the face and that of the body posture. And it can’t do so even if the observer focuses specifically only on facial expressions. The scientists showed test subjects pictures on which facial expression and body language did not match. The brain recognized the contradiction within 115 milliseconds. Conversely, this means that a person’s emotional “mood” always affects his or her body posture. If the soul is out of balance, for example, a pathological posture can even develop in the long term.
Depression physically visible
Chronic mental upsets such as depression can express themselves physically through hunched shoulders and a hunched back. The affected person practically makes himself small, withdraws into himself, and breathing is shallow. A protective function! It is clear that with such a posture one can no longer breathe freely and deeply and that the voice does not develop. A vicious circle that must be broken, because the physical condition in turn affects the soul.
In order to bring about a change, it is a matter, for example, of straightening up the body again, relaxing the muscles, freeing the voice and training healthy breathing. Many people are also “expression shy”, i.e. they do not dare to gesticulate and speak with a deadpan expression; mostly in order to hide their feelings. But the expression of feelings is also part of an authentic charisma.
Possibilities of body work
- Voice training: speaking is a holistic process that includes breathing, body and voice. Voice training is a way to get to know your voice better, use it more gently and effectively, and improve vocal performance. In addition, one can experience how an unfolded, powerful voice affects the psychological sensation back.
- Respiratory therapy: techniques are learned to improve exhalation and inhalation and teach the sufferer to breathe more consciously. As a result, he can relax better, body awareness is improved, muscle tension is released and stress is reduced.
- Acting classes: a way to train the physical / mental expression and go more out of yourself.
- Autogenic training
- Yoga
- Pilates
By the way, research confirms: When we listen to someone, we pay 55 percent attention to gestures, facial expressions, posture and movement, 38 percent to voice and tone and only seven percent to content. This does not necessarily mean that we are perceived superficially. The study also shows that we are seen holistically by those around us, namely as a unity of body, mind and soul; elements of the human being that influence each other reciprocally.
