Comments on: I Talk With My Hands http://www.ikigaiway.com/2010/i-talk-with-my-hands/ Ikigai - exploring traditional karate and martial arts. A karate and martial arts blog that explores theory, philosophy, technique, and more. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:31:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: pjm http://www.ikigaiway.com/2010/i-talk-with-my-hands/comment-page-1/#comment-8941 pjm Fri, 02 Apr 2010 09:59:49 +0000 http://www.ikigaiway.com/?p=3668#comment-8941 I have always used my hands to talk and that I feel is a very good defensive position. By having my hands moving around at chest level I can block or strike quickly without much notice. It is much less threatening than holding your hands up in a boxing type punching position and threatening your opponent. You may even do a pre-emtive strike to smack them before it gets out of hand and get the heck out of there. I have always used my hands to talk and that I feel is a very good defensive position. By having my hands moving around at chest level I can block or strike quickly without much notice. It is much less threatening than holding your hands up in a boxing type punching position and threatening your opponent. You may even do a pre-emtive strike to smack them before it gets out of hand and get the heck out of there.

]]> By: Matt__A http://www.ikigaiway.com/2010/i-talk-with-my-hands/comment-page-1/#comment-8603 Matt__A Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:32:10 +0000 http://www.ikigaiway.com/?p=3668#comment-8603 That's a good question Sue (and I don't know! haha). Traditional school must have been a little tough on you since most of that is pure auditory learning. But I can see why you are thriving in a dojo environment. That's a good question Sue (and I don't know! haha). Traditional school must have been a little tough on you since most of that is pure auditory learning. But I can see why you are thriving in a dojo environment.

]]> By: SueC http://www.ikigaiway.com/2010/i-talk-with-my-hands/comment-page-1/#comment-8602 SueC Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:18:20 +0000 http://www.ikigaiway.com/?p=3668#comment-8602 Hi Matt - I am also a big hand talker! Like you, I do this subconsciously - it's almost as if I have to demonstrate the thing I am talking about with an imaginary object. For example if I were giving you directions of how to get somewhere in the street, I would be tracing the route with my finger on an imaginary map. Wierd I know! This got me thinking though - is hand talking connected to learning style? I am a very strong visual learner followed by a fairly strong kinesthetic learner. I score zero for auditory learning. I wonder if all hand talkers are visual learners? Useful in a fight I suppose (natural fence and all that). Still, I suppose auditory learners might be better at talking a fight down! lol Hi Matt – I am also a big hand talker! Like you, I do this subconsciously – it's almost as if I have to demonstrate the thing I am talking about with an imaginary object. For example if I were giving you directions of how to get somewhere in the street, I would be tracing the route with my finger on an imaginary map. Wierd I know! This got me thinking though – is hand talking connected to learning style? I am a very strong visual learner followed by a fairly strong kinesthetic learner. I score zero for auditory learning. I wonder if all hand talkers are visual learners? Useful in a fight I suppose (natural fence and all that). Still, I suppose auditory learners might be better at talking a fight down! lol

]]> By: Stan http://www.ikigaiway.com/2010/i-talk-with-my-hands/comment-page-1/#comment-8601 Stan Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:49:24 +0000 http://www.ikigaiway.com/?p=3668#comment-8601 My pleasure, Matt. I enjoy focusing on positive solutions and outcomes! My pleasure, Matt. I enjoy focusing on positive solutions and outcomes!

]]> By: Matt__A http://www.ikigaiway.com/2010/i-talk-with-my-hands/comment-page-1/#comment-8584 Matt__A Sun, 28 Feb 2010 06:51:55 +0000 http://www.ikigaiway.com/?p=3668#comment-8584 Those are some excellent tips Stan, thanks a lot for sharing that. Those are some excellent tips Stan, thanks a lot for sharing that.

]]> By: Stan http://www.ikigaiway.com/2010/i-talk-with-my-hands/comment-page-1/#comment-8582 Stan Sun, 28 Feb 2010 03:16:44 +0000 http://www.ikigaiway.com/?p=3668#comment-8582 Being comfortable with using your hands (while speaking, in this case) takes practice, just like most of our skills.<br><br>One thing I share during my conflict classes is that gesturing with "open hands" often conveys the non-verbal message that you are willing to work with people to find solutions. Conversely, demonstrating more closed hands (like pointing with one finger) indicates more of a "veiled threat" and having hands clenched into fists usually conveys a closed-minded state with few, or no peaceful solutions.<br><br>When I need to change someone's focus, I have found it useful to have one hand "more open" than the other. During the conversation I can switch (similar to passing a weapon) between the two hands. The people become more aware of the message and when I choose to open both hands it's more clear and effective.<br><br>Thanks, Matt! I am pleased to see that some folks are still looking for peaceful applications of our arts! Being comfortable with using your hands (while speaking, in this case) takes practice, just like most of our skills.

One thing I share during my conflict classes is that gesturing with “open hands” often conveys the non-verbal message that you are willing to work with people to find solutions. Conversely, demonstrating more closed hands (like pointing with one finger) indicates more of a “veiled threat” and having hands clenched into fists usually conveys a closed-minded state with few, or no peaceful solutions.

When I need to change someone's focus, I have found it useful to have one hand “more open” than the other. During the conversation I can switch (similar to passing a weapon) between the two hands. The people become more aware of the message and when I choose to open both hands it's more clear and effective.

Thanks, Matt! I am pleased to see that some folks are still looking for peaceful applications of our arts!

]]> By: Matt__A http://www.ikigaiway.com/2010/i-talk-with-my-hands/comment-page-1/#comment-8579 Matt__A Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:12:12 +0000 http://www.ikigaiway.com/?p=3668#comment-8579 Yea that's a very valid point Wim. I think that's one of the critical reasons that you have to make it a very natural process. Over gesticulation is distracting and even annoying. Yea that's a very valid point Wim. I think that's one of the critical reasons that you have to make it a very natural process. Over gesticulation is distracting and even annoying.

]]> By: wimde http://www.ikigaiway.com/2010/i-talk-with-my-hands/comment-page-1/#comment-8578 wimde Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:33:22 +0000 http://www.ikigaiway.com/?p=3668#comment-8578 Hey Matt,<br><br>I agree with what you said but IMO with one caveat: in some (Western) cultures, gesticulating a lot with the hands is considered normal. In others, it is a sign of aggression or rudeness. <br>Personally, whenever somebody gesticulates a lot, part of my brain starts screaming "Set up!" right away and makes the rest of the conversation just that tad more difficult. <br><br>Just my 2 cents,<br><br>Wim Hey Matt,

I agree with what you said but IMO with one caveat: in some (Western) cultures, gesticulating a lot with the hands is considered normal. In others, it is a sign of aggression or rudeness.
Personally, whenever somebody gesticulates a lot, part of my brain starts screaming “Set up!” right away and makes the rest of the conversation just that tad more difficult.

Just my 2 cents,

Wim

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