It’s not only what presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton said in their first debate.

The unspoken body language between the two at the first presidential debate Sept. 26 was equally revealing about them as their words, said Renate Mousseux.

A body language coach for 10 years and former Fountain Hills French and German high school teacher, Mousseux analyzed hand gestures, facial expressions and body movements.

She said she evaluated their body language without any regard to the political message.

“I am totally neutral. I assess and interpret,” said Mousseux.

Studies have shown that 65 percent of communication is non-verbal, she said.

Although she does not know for certain, Mousseux suspects that the candidates were coached on body language.

“Absolutely, because there are certain things you should do and certain things you should avoid.

“You need to assess somebody from top to toe. Not just the upper part or one arm movement,” she said.

As soon as the candidates took to the stage and walked to their podiums, Mousseux said she noticed a “softer, more feminine” Clinton. She kept her hands at her side.

“Usually she has her hands in the air, wide eyes and has this huge, fake expression on her face…she did not do that this time. She had a very feminine entry and looked very self-assured.”

A genuine smile or true emotion lasts eight seconds, no longer, said Mousseux. After she and Trump shook hands, Clinton pivoted away from her opponent to get attention.

Clinton’s choice of red, an aggressive color, was a well-chosen decision.

Trump sought to reassert his power and dominance with both hands on the podium, said Mousseux. His posture and gestures reinforced a message of power, along with jutting his chin upward.

He underscored an aggressive debate style by dipping his shoulder and leaning into the podium before some responses, she said.

“If you lean in with one shoulder, it’s usually before you attack verbally or physically.”

Trump frequently touched or readjusted the microphone, an unspoken signal of control.

At times during the 90-minute debate, each candidate displayed body language associated with discomfort or unease, Mousseux said.

In some exchanges, Clinton blinked repeatedly. More than 12 blinks per minute can be perceived as a sign of unease, she said.

Mousseux referred to Trump where he repeatedly licked his lips, a body language cue associated with discomfort or a desire to take back a comment.

At times when Trump did not agree with Clinton’s response, he squinted his eyes, grimaced and pursed his lips to show uncertainty, interrupting her by saying “Not.”

The second of three presidential debates is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 9, at Washington University in St. Louis. The format will be a town meeting where half of the questions will come from participants and the other from the moderators, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper and ABC News “This Week” co-anchor Martha Raddatz.

Mousseux’s website is bodylanguage4success.com. She also can be contacted at 602-910-3450 or email at renatem@cox.net.