We have all heard the old truth: communication is key. It is impossible to lead a normal happy life without ever understanding and being understood by a fellow human being. We have invented languages, gestures, phones, computers … basically gone to unbelievable lengths all to be able to communicate with as many people as we can. Yet, many of us still often feel out of touch.

Here's where I point out the obvious: the need for communication is one of the most basic and important human needs. We will seek out ways to connect by any means, and when the traditional means, like conversations with friends, for example, fail us we will turn to more and more intricate methods. This need is what keeps many internet websites, life coaches, and therapists in business.

Strangely, in our everlasting preoccupation with staying connected, we often miss the most obvious chances and ways to connect. A New York City art project just installed 60 pianos through the city, because the artist, Luke Jerram, who idea the project was, wanted to help people communicate better. Jerram had observed people in public places, and noticed that even though some of the same people kept coming back to the same place, like a coin laundry, every week, they failed to even acknowledge each other. He thought that public pianos may give people a better chance to communicate.

Learning to play a piano in order to stay connected is a great idea, but may be a little too far-fetched. Fortunately, we are surrounded by millions of other ways to communicate non-verbally. One of these is body language.

We use it unconsciously all the time, but body language can also be used consciously. One of the things I teach my students when I teach them how to dance, is to be aware of their body language. Once you are aware of what signals you are silently sending out to the people around you, you become much more successful in dancing, as well as in all other aspects of your life. Think of a person who stands up straight, looks people right in the eye, and smiles. Now think of a person who slouches and avoids eye contact, or has a look of dissatisfaction on his or her face. Which person would you buy a house from? Or even tomatoes? Which person would you feel more comfortable approaching to ask them to dance?

Body language is something you use whether you like it, or not. So if you find yourself wondering why people react to you in a certain way, what you do with your body and facial expressions may be worth looking into. And if you need help, but think hiring a life coach is a little extreme, there is always the option of finding a hobby, like dancing, or acting, where you will learn to be more aware of your body language through doing something you enjoy . I guarantee that your communication skills will improve dramatically, once you become aware of some basic facts about your body language, and who can not use some better communication skills ?!

Source by Jenny Levina