Body Language! How do you sit?

Ussually I start in a similar position as she has. I sit back in the big comfy chair and cross my legs. As time goes on and I start pooring out my sad embarrassing secrets, My hand is holding my head, and covering my face, I pull my sweater over my hands, and I fall deeper and lower into the chair. Its like I close up into a little hermit crab. I hate having people know that I am upset and have trouble asserting myself all because I don't want to upset or disappoint other people, so saying embarrassing sad things is really difficult for me, and I think my seating position communicates that. I put on a very confident facade but as it comes down, I get more uncomfortable.

she being my T by the way.

I just realized I do the exact same thing with both of my Ts. First, I take out my finger fidgets- very important. I use them anytime I get anxious. Especially in t appts. I sit on the chair rather than the couch. If I'm sitting with either my legs crossed or feet on the floor, my foot is tapping like crazy. If we start talking about anything intense, I tuck one, if not both, of my feet under me. Try to curl up in a ball and get really small. With both of my Ts I tend to make direct eye contact. I think I'm hoping they can read my mind and/or facial expressions so that I don't have to talk, but that hasn't happened yet. Actually, this direct eye contact happens more with my male t than with my female t. I trust him more.

I agree that it depends on how I'm feeling. Usually I go in, sit on the couch, cross my legs and am relaxed. If I get real confused or an dealing with some emotions, I will normally run my fingers through my hair or fidget. When I'm extremely interested, I usually cross my arms or bring my hand to my mouth in a studious pose.

I do have a terrible habit learned from managing people that has never left me. I will replicate the position a person is in. I had read a book years ago called "how To Read a Person Like A Book". Quite a lot if it was interesting and it helped me be on the same level and relax them while speaking to them..I.e. Sitting on the same level as them, so you aren't dominant. Replicate there sitting position and there gestures to make them feel more comfortable. If worked so well, that it comes natural for me. Crossed arms can mean they want to get closer to you and the discussion, or it can mean they are no longer willing to change their bind and they are 'blocking' you. Very fascinating book.

I sit with my legs crossed, hands in my lap making occasional eye contact especially when speaking to the therapist. My eyes drift when the therapist is talking to me, I usually look out of the window at the wall, it's my way of absorbing the information.

Cool question by the way.

I sit in the middle of the couch, feet apart, flat on the floor. I usually either have my elbows on my knees, or my back against the back of the couch with my hands on my legs or folded over my stomach. That's about it. I have no idea what this might communicate to my T.

I sit in the chair and usually cross my legs. I am almost always playing with my bracelet or hair elastic on my wrist....I'm anxious. I usually avert my eyes but sometimes I will look directly at my T. Depending on where we are in the conversation, I may be covering my face, closing my eyes, etc. I think I communicate a lot nonverbally with my T. I noticed lately that when I am scared of being hurt by my T, I will push my feet into the ground, grab onto the chair arms, and push my back as far into the chair as possible - almost like I'm trying to push myself as far away from HIM as possible. One time I actually moved the chair back a little into the wall by accident oops....