Body Language: 101 by Hanif Raah

Introduction – Why Should You Read This Book?
    Body language is one of the most fascinating subjects in the world. To be able to read what a person wants, thinks and/ or plans to do without exchanging a word is exciting. This book will take you through the basics of body language. You will learn in this book where and how to look to be able to identify whether you have hooked a person or not.
    Contrary to common belief, reading body language is easy enough. We already know the language. We do it all the time. How many times you have met a person and felt that you need to raise your guard against the person? How many times have you instantly liked someone and got together like a house on fire. These would be the result of the innate ability we all have to read body language.
    So, why should we read any further if we know it already? It is important to identify the signs and know how these conclusions are drawn so you can protect yourself from harm and heartbreak. It is also important that you know what you highlight and what to downplay in your own demeanor to ensure that you do not attract the wrong kind of attention and/ or response.
    Though it is easy to recognize the various body language signs that indicate love, hostility, subservience, challenge, disagreement, agreement, etc. it is not easy to accurately interpret these signs without experience. Inexperienced persons often make the mistake of judging the thoughts and/ or plans of a person judging by one or two major indicators.
    However, this would ensure wrong interpretation because body language – as the name indicates – needs to be taken in full context. Unless you read the signs transmitted by the whole body plus the tone and decibel level of the voice, you cannot really read correctly.
    The good news is that it is possible to gather information in one quick scan and this book will help you do just that. This book attempts to bring to you the key factors that go into the reading of body language. Be patient. Do not attempt doing too much too soon or you will end up frustrated.  As long as you are willing to take one step at a time, rest assured that you will become an expert at reading body language in no time.
    Use this as a tool to improve your relationships at home, at work and in general with your friends. This is also a very potent device to build your career. You could upgrade your knowledge and expertise with practice and very soon you will be able to read your boss, your interviewer, your date and so on. This is a tool, which indeed will give you the ability to read a person like a book.
    On the other hand, you will know what needs to be done to hide your fear, insecurity, doubts when you are faced with any type of problem. You will also learn how to project confidence using body language, how to be happy and how to use body language to your advantage.
    Happy reading!

Chapter 1: What Is Body Language?
    Body language is the language you speak without words. When you say, “communication” you often think of “words”, “speeches”, and “presentations”. However, communication is much more than words. You can communicate exceptionally accurately without saying one word just with your body. Every part of your body can speak as eloquently as words; perhaps, even better than words.
    The way you stand, the way you hold your head, the way you position your palms, hands, arms, legs – everything says something. Sometimes, you can pick up the unsaid message in an instant – like when someone is aggressive – and sometimes it takes a little time.
    There are many theories about how much communication we actually do through body language. One that you will find quoted most often is the Mehrabian theory – by Dr Albert Mehrabian - which states that about 7 percent of communication is done through words, 38 percent is through the tone of our voice and a whopping 55 percent though body language.  In other words, the non-verbal communication amounts to