Body Language is about understanding how you can and cannot use your body to say what you mean.Body language has always been a hot topic of interesting dinner conversation ... and now today it is still a hot topic. It is perhaps one of the most powerful forms of human expression or human communication! When you are armed with the right information about body language, it is almost like reading a book. Body language is a very important part of communication which can constitute 50% or more of what we are communicating to the other person. If you wish to communicate effectively, then it makes sense to understand how you can (and cannot) use your body to say what you mean. Body language can be used to discover all sorts of things such as, knowing when someone is attracted to you, creating sexual and romantic interest in someone you desire, detecting truth and lies, portraying confidence, commanding respect in any situation, and you can use body language to put people at ease, make friends instantly, persuade, and influence. So What is Body Language? Body language is a term used to describe the method of communication using body movements or gestures instead of, or in addition to, sounds, verbal language or other communication. It forms part of the category of paralanguage, which describes all forms of human communication that are not verbal language. Body Language also includes the most subtle of movements that many people are not aware of, including winking and slight movement of the eyebrows and other facial expressions. Body Language is one of the easiest ways for you to tell what’s really going on in a conversation with another person. The body language that you observe from other people will give you an indication whether or not those people are being straight up with you or whether there is more to the story that’s not being said. Watch, look, observe. Sometimes you can tell more by a person’s body language than the words they speak. Parts of the body used for communicating through Body Language You can send signals from any and all parts of your body. Just using one individual part of the body as well as several parts of the body at the same time. Let’s have a look at what those body parts are: Head: Face, Cheek, Chin, Mouth, Lips, Teeth, Tongue, Nose, Eyes, Eyebrow, Forehead, Hair What messages are you sending? Our body language is a display of our motives. We are literally like walking advertisements for what we are thinking or feeling at any given moment of any given day and situation. When you are using body language make sure you are sending the right signals (to the right person of course). This is so very important. Because your voice, your expressions, your behaviour and your movements can and actually do say a lot about your attitude, the mood that you are in and the messages that you are sending to the other person Each of our behaviours is a way of alerting others to our inner workings, what’s going on inside of us. It is also a way of eliciting a response in someone else. We act; they react; and so on. For example, if someone smiles at us, we typically respond with an action of our own, and in this situation it is generally a smile. Therefore, the communication between you and this other person has started, just as in a ‘normal’ conversation. One of the most simplest and easiest and the most effective forms of communication involves nothing more than the contraction of facial muscles. What am I talking about? Smiling! Everyone understands what a smile means; and everyone also understands what a frown means. In fact, these two basic facial expressions can be recognised across countries, across the world and across the globe, regardless of the language spoken or the culture lived. HUGS! Hugs are so beautiful! When you give someone a hug or someone comes up and gives you a hug, this simple act of a hug can ‘speak’ volumes about how much you care for the other person, how much love you want to share with the other person, how much you have missed the other person. This hug has so much to say, and yet there never has to be any words spoken. And, who needs to say the words ‘yes’ or ‘no’ when a movement of the head says the same thing. These basic examples show just how powerful body language can be. Just knowing how to read and use body language effectively, makes it really easy to see why it is not always a bad thing to be lost for words. Body language in the world of Romance is a very common thing and sometimes the only thing. And, most of the time, body language is the very first words “spoken” before any words are. The old saying is ‘love at first sight’ not ‘love at first word’. Across a crowded room, their eyes meet and linger, he winks at her, she raises an eyebrow. The connection is made without any words needed. These displays of body language say it all. In fact, sometimes they can say more than words can. So, if you’re your own advertisement, how can you guarantee to be a best seller? By being aware of what language your body is talking. Let us have a look at a very common situation, and one that we have all found our selves in on many occasions. How do you sell yourself during a job interview? First, you have to start with the packaging. Your clothes and the way you dress can make an important statement. Your potential new boss will be thinking one of several things. “Seriously, did they get lost on the way to the beach this morning?” or “Neat, Smart and Professional, just what we’re looking for!” OK, now that you are packaged appropriately, it’s time to focus on what’s underneath the wrapping. Nerves can be pretty sneaky, and have a way of unconsciously making the body act in certain ways. Be aware of the nervous foot bouncing, because it can sometimes send the signal that’s letting everyone know your heart is going a mile a minute. Be careful about barricading yourself in with crossed arms, be open to new experiences. Make eye contact! This is very important. Sure, you may be feeling nervous, and when you want think confidently, this is the message you are sending. Use the language of the body to impress your interviewer. AND! Make it work for you! Body language really does let others know information about us, and it can almost certainly alert us to their intentions. However, sometimes there is confusion, especially when people are saying one thing with their mouth and something different with their body. It is just like watching a movie which has been dubbed, or a video that has a slight sound delay. The mismatch between what is being said, and the movement of the person’s mouth is very noticeable. Exactly, like the mismatch between someone’s words and their body language. Think about it! Do you believe your dad when he says he is not angry, or do you believe the tense muscles and the clenched jaw which barely allow him to get the words out in the first place? Words or Body Language? Which is telling the truth of the situation? It’s really important to look at the person’s body language. Because the body language of the person can give you hidden signals about how others are actually feeling. For example, it’s always good to be able to tell when someone else is aggressive or angry. Sure what they are saying to you may sound calm, but is their body language saying something else? By observing the person’s body language and the story told by their body language you can always stay one step ahead. Body language is an important tool to help you navigate the people around you. Always make sure that you read other people’s stories and take care about how you are writing your own. With the right Body Language skills, motivation and a strong desire to succeed, you can accomplish anything! And who better to help you than Body Language and communication experts, Allan & Barbara Pease |
