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Learn to Read Body Language

How much do the signals our bodies emit tell us about what people are thinking and feeling? Body Tells: The Complete Guide to Body Language is an exclusive online course that will show you how to read people's emotions and opinions before they even say a word, and to build your emotional intelligence. You'll also learn how to judge your own body language: discover what your appearance and posture - even the way you walk - tell people about you, and learn to improve your body language to project a confident, interesting you.

 

What Research is the Course Based On?

For many decades, body language has been the subject of many books and much scientific research. Body Tells brings together this research to offer you a single course that will enable you to employ its findings to your everyday behavior and improve your social standing in many situations.

 

Browse the Body Language Course

To take the Body Language Course, click each link below to browse the relevant section:

 


Eye Reading (Body Language) Eye Reading (Body Language)

Windows to the Soul

They've existed for 540 million years and most of us have a pair, but aside from giving us sight, what can we tell from looking at someone's eyes? People say that the eyes are a "window to the soul" - that they can tell us much about a person just by gazing into them. Given that we cannot, for example, control the size of our pupils,...

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Eye Reading (Body Language)
Handshakes Handshakes

Handshakes

Handshaking is perhaps the most widely recognised of greetings worldwide, in both Western and non-Western societies. While on the surface a handshake appears to be a warm, friendly gesture, this can be a superficial reading. It's important to recognise the different meanings of handshakes in different situations, and to be able to use them to your...

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Handshakes
Effective Communication Effective Communication

Effective Communication

Building rapport with the person we are talking to is something we often naturally do, however this is a skill that we can improve upon, once we become consciously aware of how to do this. If you watch two people deep in conversation, you will notice how, after a while, they begin to shift their position, breathing, voice tonality or speed, to match the...

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Effective Communication
Historical Pseudo-science: Face reading Historical Pseudo-science: Face Reading

Historical Pseudo-science: Face reading

Historical pseudo-science of face reading explained.

Historical Pseudo-science: Face reading
Face Reading: Chin Face Reading: Chin

Face Reading: Chin

Chin reading as explained by historical pseudo-science.

Face Reading: Chin
Reading Eyes - Historical Pseudo-science Reading Eyes - Historical Pseudo-science

Reading Eyes - Historical Pseudo-science

Face reading: eyes, as explained by historical pseudo-science.

Reading Eyes - Historical Pseudo-science
Reading Foreheads - Historical Pseudo-Science Reading Foreheads - Historical Pseudo-Science

Reading Foreheads - Historical Pseudo-Science

Forehead reading, as explained by historical pseudo-science.

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Reading Foreheads - Historical Pseudo-Science
Reading Mouthes - Historical Pseudo-science Reading Mouthes - Historical Pseudo-science

Reading Mouthes - Historical Pseudo-science

Mouth reading, as explained by historical pseudo-science.

Reading Mouthes - Historical Pseudo-science
Face Reading: Nose Face Reading: Nose

Face Reading: Nose

Nose reading, as explained by historical pseudo-science.

Face Reading: Nose
Face Shapes - Historical Pseudo-science Face Shapes - Historical Pseudo-science

Face Shapes - Historical Pseudo-science

Face shape interpretation, as explained by historical pseudo-science.

Face Shapes - Historical Pseudo-science
Flirting and Body Language Flirting And Body Language

Flirting and Body Language

Building rapport with the person we are talking to is something we often naturally do, however this is a skill that we can improve upon, once we become consciously aware of how to do this. If you watch two people deep in conversation, you will notice how, after a while, they begin to shift their position, breathing, voice tonality or speed, to...

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Flirting and Body Language
Body Language of Flirting Body Language Of Flirting

Body Language of Flirting

Look upon everyone that you meet as a possible friend. Don't ever assume that people aren't going to like you, for whatever reason you've already pre-determined. They don't know you - you don't know them - you're on equal ground and they're probably as nervous as you are about instigating a conversation. Small talk can be...

Body Language of Flirting
Introduction to Body Language Introduction To Body Language

Introduction to Body Language

Communication is said to be 20% verbal and 80% non-verbal. If you are saying something to a person but your body language says the opposite then you are not getting your message across. This section is designed to help you to maximize your own communication skills, whilst at the same time assist you in understanding that of others. ...

Introduction to Body Language
Non-Verbal Communication Non-Verbal Communication

Non-Verbal Communication

There are certain clues that people exude which will help you to understand how they are feeling. These don't apply to everyone in every situation; however they should help to give a general evaluation. Arms Crossed over Chest This indicates defensiveness, as though the person is trying to protect him or herself. This...

Non-Verbal Communication
Self Image Body Language Self Image Body Language

Self Image Body Language

Introduction to our Self Image.

Self Image Body Language
Aspects of Our Self Image Aspects Of Our Self Image

Aspects of Our Self Image

The two aspects of self image explored, including an exercise in self image.

Aspects of Our Self Image
Self Image Formation Self Image Formation

Self Image Formation

How is our image of ourselves created?

Self Image Formation
Telling the Truth from Body Language Telling The Truth From Body Language

Telling the Truth from Body Language

There are tell-tale signs that give away those who are not telling the truth, or holding information back. This section will help you to become more aware of whether you are being lied to, by observing certain body movements. However, human behavior is complex and we have individual mannerisms so your observations shouldn't be relied upon as...

Telling the Truth from Body Language
Body Language of Animals Body Language Of Animals

Body Language of Animals

One evening, 10 year old Elizabeth was lying on the floor when Gremlin, the family cat stalked by. Teasingly, Elizabeth let out a low "Meeoooowwrrll" as Gremlin neared. The cat stopped dead and stared at the girl for a long moment. Then, in a classic example of animal body language, she lifted a closed paw and 'slapped'...

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Body Language of Animals
Understanding Kinesis Understanding Kinesis

Understanding Kinesis

- Your Silent Language (Elizabeth McGough) The study of body language isn't new, but it wasn't until 1952 that it acquired a name. That was the year that a professor at the Eastern Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute published a book called Introduction to Kinesis. Ray Birdwhistell defined kinesis as the "systematic study of how human...

Understanding Kinesis
Body Language: Appearance Body Language: Appearance

Body Language: Appearance

It may seem odd to discuss the clothes that you wear and your grooming in a book about body language, but those two things are a vital component of the messages that you send out. How you choose to present yourself will affect how others see you. It's a well known fact that attractive people are perceived more positively than those that seem...

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Body Language: Appearance
Basics of Body Language Basics Of Body Language

Basics of Body Language

- The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life (Dr. Erving Goffman) Here's a little experiment for you to try. Record 15 minutes of a soap opera or other show that you don't usually watch. Now watch it with the sound muted and see how much you can follow. Chances are that you'll miss out on the fine details, but you'll be able to follow...

Basics of Body Language
How to Become a Better Communicator How To Become A Better Communicator

How to Become a Better Communicator

Samy Molcho (Body Speech) Children acquire socially appropriate body language along with speech. While much of the secret language that they once used goes underground, they learn new gestures and motions that are appropriate for the culture in which they grow up. Few children are taught to lift a brow at the end of a question to indicate curiosity -...

How to Become a Better Communicator
Controlling What Your Body Says Controlling What Your Body Says

Controlling What Your Body Says

Lisa has always been shy and uncertain. She grew up with three older brothers who got the lion's share of attention. Whenever there was an argument or disagreement, her parents believed the older brothers over Lisa. As a consequence, she learned that her contributions to a conversation were seldom taken seriously, and even when she was telling the...

Controlling What Your Body Says
How to Make A Good First Impression How To Make A Good First Impression

How to Make A Good First Impression

- A random fifth grade teacher Dan gets home from work at 5:20 every afternoon. This afternoon, his sixteen year old daughter Katelyn is waiting anxiously for him. She'd just found the perfect prom dress, but needed to borrow $50 from her father in order to afford it. As he pulls into the driveway, she watches from the window. Dan gets out of the...

How to Make A Good First Impression
Body Language: Further Reading Body Language: Further Reading

Body Language: Further Reading

What you'll find in this book is an overview of kinesics - the study of body language. If you're interested in learning more, you'll find many books about body language at your local library or bookstore. Among the best and most helpful is a book called Body Speech, by Samy Molcho. Molcho, a practicing mime from Scandinavia, has made his living...

Body Language: Further Reading
Body Language: Reading the Hidden Message Body Language: Reading The Hidden Message

Body Language: Reading the Hidden Message

Over the years, kinesics experts have noticed some hidden 'tells' that can offer you a shorthand guide to what others are thinking. There are certain gestures, motions and positions that crop up often enough that they appear to be universal. Remember that no single gesture should be read in isolation, but rather placed in the context of the...

Body Language: Reading the Hidden Message
Is He/She Interested in You? Is He/She Interested In You?

Is He/She Interested in You?

You've just met the girl of your dreams and are sitting there talking to her. Are there ways that you can tell if she returns the interest? You bet there are. Flirting and courting behavior is one of the most studied of all aspects of body language. Here are some of the most common 'interest' signals that women use when interacting with men...

Is He/She Interested in You?
Keeping People Interested: Body Language Keeping People Interested: Body Language

Keeping People Interested: Body Language

Make eye contact frequently. Eye contact is a major part of communication. When people make eye contact with us, we tend to believe that they're sincere. If you want to convey your message convincingly, you need to keep your eyes on the face of your audience, whether it's the guy you want to get to know or a full auditorium listening to a sales...

Keeping People Interested: Body Language
Watching What They Say: Body Language Watching What They Say: Body Language

Watching What They Say: Body Language

How is it that some people always seem to know the important stuff? You know the type I mean - it's the guy at the office who always knows when to ask for a raise, the girl who knows where to get extra tickets to tonight's show - at a discount. Why do people open up and tell Barbara Walters and Oprah Winfrey all their secrets? The...

Watching What They Say: Body Language
Lying: Body Language Course Lying: Body Language Course

Lying: Body Language Course

Lying makes people nervous and that nervousness conveys itself in many different ways. The better you know someone, the easier it will be to tell if they are lying to you or telling the truth. That doesn't mean that you can't often guess at how truthful even a stranger is being when you talk to them, though. Most people have some involuntary...

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Lying: Body Language Course
Body Language: Posture and Position Body Language: Posture And Position

Body Language: Posture and Position

The way that you carry yourself is another important cue that others read without thinking. Picture Peter and Paul at a party. Peter is standing near the center of the room with other people nearby. His shoulders are back, his head is up and he is looking around the room with an interested expression on his face. By contrast, Paul is leaning against a wall...

Body Language: Posture and Position
How to Say, 'I'm Interested' How To Say, 'I'm Interested'

How to Say, 'I'm Interested'

Make eye contact often, but remember that unblinking stares are disconcerting. Researchers have found that when people are engaged in an interesting conversation, their eyes remain focused on their partner's face about 80% of the time - but not exclusively on the eyes. Instead, they focus on the eyes for two to three minutes, then move down to the...

How to Say, 'I'm Interested'
The Perfect Handshake The Perfect Handshake

The Perfect Handshake

The handshake is a curiously Western method of greeting. We approach each other, each extending the right hand forward. If it's gauged correctly, our hands meet at the center of the distance between us, clasp momentarily and pump up and down once or twice, then release at the same time to drop back to our sides. A handshake is nothing more than a...

The Perfect Handshake
The Perfect Smile The Perfect Smile

The Perfect Smile

What does your face look like when you think no one is looking? Most of us wear a habitual face that reflects our inner mood. If you're often tense and worried, your usual face will reflect that with frown lines on your forehead and lips that turn down at the corners. If you're generally upbeat and happy, your face will reflect that, too. The...

The Perfect Smile
Before We Learn To Speak Before We Learn To Speak

Before We Learn To Speak

If animals can read body language so easily and readily - why can't we recognize it when we see it? The truth is - we can and do - just not consciously. In fact, scientists believe that humans do use body language consciously, until we learn to speak. Numerous studies that filmed interactions between pre-verbal children - both with each other and with...

Before We Learn To Speak
How You Talk Without Speaking How You Talk Without Speaking

How You Talk Without Speaking

-The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life (Dr. Erving Goffman) Here's a little experiment for you to try. Record 15 minutes of a soap opera or other show that you don't usually watch. Now watch it with the sound muted and see how much you can follow. Chances are that you'll miss out on the fine details, but you'll be able to follow...

How You Talk Without Speaking
Walking With Style Walking With Style

Walking With Style

When you take a self-defense class, one of the first things that you'll learn is how to walk down the street. The reason? The people around you are always judging you on what your body says about you. If you walk with your head up and move with a confident, purposeful stride, you project self-confidence and awareness of what's around you. Self...

Walking With Style
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