Movements that express emotional states

потирать [no Pf.] рукиa (от удовольствияg) to rub one's hands (from joy)
хлопать/захлопать [Pf-begin] Nd;
аплодировать/зааплодировать [Pf-begin] Nd 		to applaud N
NB N denotes a performer or performance.
ломать [no Pf.] рукиa (в отчаянииp);
заламывать [no Pf.] рукиa (в отчаянииp) 		to wring one's hands (in despair)
класть/положить рукуa на сердцеa Bookish to put one's hand on one's heart
NB The above phrase describes a gesture used to convince others of one's sincerity. The verb usually occurs as a gerund in this expression.
Он продолжал говорить, положа руку на сердце и смотря ей прямо в глаза. He continued speaking, putting his hand on his heart and looking her straight in the eye.
прижимать/прижать рукиa к грудиd to press one's hands to one's bosom
NB The above phrase describes a gesture of supplication or one expressing sincerity.
обхватить [no Impf.] головуa рукамиi to clap one's hands to one's head
NB The above phrase describes a gesture of deep despair.
хвататься/схватиться за головуa (or за головуa) to clutch at one's head
NB The above phrase describes a gesture of deep despair or a sudden realization of one's blunder.
закрывать/закрыть лицоa рукамиi to cover one's face with one's hands
NB The above phrase expresses shame, embarrassment, or sorrow.
сидеть [no Pf.], (тяжело) подперев головуa рукойi to sit with one's head propped on one's hand
NB The gesture described above is used when one is feeling depressed and deep in thought, usually painful and oppressive thought.
воздевать/воздеть рукиa к небуd Bookish to throw one's arms up
NB The above phrase describes a gesture of supplication or grief.
разводить/развести рукамиi to spread one's arms
NB The above expression describes a gesture of bewilderment or helplessness.
ронять/уронить рукиa to let one's arms fall listlessly to one's sides
NB The above phrase describes a gesture of sorrow and helplessness; it is often used with the adverb бессильно "listlessly."
складывать/сложить рукиa на коленяхp to fold one's arms on one's lap
NB The above phrase usually denotes a calm gesture, and is often used with the adverb смиренно "meekly."
всплескивать/всплеснуть рукамиi to fling one's hands upward, allow them to drop, then clasp them together at chest-level
NB The above phrase describes a gesture of surprise.
«Ой, не может быть!» — всплеснула руками тётя Нина. "Oh, it can't be!" said Auntie Nina, throwing her hands up.
не знать [no Pf.] куда девать рукиa not to know what to do with one's hands
NB The situation described above arises from shyness or embarrassment.
трепать/потрепать Na рукойi по головеd (or плечуd) to pat N on the head/shoulder
NB The above phrase describes a gesture of affection.
дрожать/задрожать [Pf-begin]: у Ng рукиn дрожат N's hands shake
NB The above phrase describes a symptom of excitement, nervousness, anger, or fear, as well as being a symptom of illness, weakness, or old age.
слушаться [no Pf.]: у Ng рукиn не слушаются N can't control his hands (lit. "N's hands do not obey")
NB The above phrase describes a symptom of distress, weakness, or illness.
стискивать/стиснуть Nd рукуa to squeeze N's arm/hand
NB The above phrase describes a symptom of fear or excitement.