FOUR
Tor so Tips
Nonverbals of the Torso, Hips, Chest, and ShouldersT
his chapter will cover the hips, abdomen, chest, and shoulders,
collectively known as the torso, or trunk. As with the legs and
feet, many of the behaviors associated with the torso reflect
the true sentiments of the emotional (limbic) brain. Because the
torso houses many vital internal organs, such as the heart, lungs,
liver, and digestive tract, we can anticipate that the brain will seek to
diligently protect this area when threatened or challenged. During
times of danger, whether real or perceived, the brain recruits the rest
of the body to guard these crucial organs in ways that range from
the subtle to the more obvious. Let’s look at some of the more com-
mon nonverbal signals of the torso and some examples of how these
behaviors project what is going on in the brain—particularly the
limbic brain.