It happens that when speaking, the speaker gesticulates both widely and energetically, and uses open gestures — and the viewer feels some kind of catch, irregularity, unnaturalness in speech. Especially if he is sitting on the right side of the hall — and he gets less attention, and it is more and more difficult to follow the speaker’s thoughts …
And the reason is simple — the speaker makes gestures with only one, often with the right, hand. The left at this time is resting in a pocket or hanging along the body. And since by nature symmetrical movements of the limbs are more characteristic of a healthy person, the “one-armed” speaker seems to be limping, only not on his leg, but on his arm. Alas — limping, you won’t run away very much …
Such a seemingly harmless trifle seriously impoverishes the speaker’s «sign vocabulary», makes it difficult to understand speech, and involuntarily distracts the attention of the audience. It can be said that the hall practically loses half of the speaker, and the speaker loses more than half of the power hidden in gestures, that is:
— more than half of additional colors,
— additional energy,
— additional powerful room management tools!
Therefore, we immediately pull out the second hand from the pocket and include it in energetic work! A speaker gesticulating with both hands, ceteris paribus, looks much more confident, energetic, and charismatic. Symmetry makes the describing gestures more expressive, and the managing ones more clear and strong.
Of course, we are not talking about the fact that we always and everywhere do ONLY symmetrical movements with both hands — like some kind of Indian dances or synchronized swimming. Although, to be honest, strict symmetry is not often used there either)).
To comply with the principle of symmetry, it is enough to follow a few simple rules:
— it’s good if the breadth of gestures with the left and right hands is approximately the same;
— if we make several gestures with one hand, then we should balance the balance with several gestures with the other;
— if we need to hold something during a performance, it is better to do it with one hand, leaving the other free for gestures. During the performance, from time to time we shift this “something” from one hand to another and gesticulate with the freed one.
— it is better to start and end the performance using symmetrical gestures;
— in general, for the performance it is desirable that the load on the left and right hands is evenly distributed.
If you notice a lack of symmetry behind you — we take up practice! There are quite a few exercises for developing beautiful wide symmetrical gestures, there are plenty to choose from. Here I will offer a couple of the simplest ones — try it and share the results.
1. «Lefty». Well, here everything is clear by name)). We gain patience and the whole day (or an hour or two to start) we make our other hand the main one. We wash dishes for her, open locks, move a computer mouse — we “blow up” the brain and develop new neural connections)). Perhaps right now with the mouse and start. Well, how did it work? Refrain only at first from shifting the knife to the other hand in the kitchen — it is fraught with cuts to the fingers)).
2. «Mirror». Also an easy exercise. We choose a role model for ourselves — it is better if it is not a recording, but a live (and very good) speaker or trainer — and we repeat one by one all his gestures in mirror image. What he does with his right hand, we repeat with his left and vice versa. Yes — do not forget to warn the coach in advance)).
We do these and other exercises regularly, actively use every opportunity for real live performances in front of the public — and the «lagging» hand will soon catch up with the leading one in the mastery of gestures.