A lot of people ask this question whether it easy to understand body language or not? The answer is in the affirmative. It is possible and many a time we read body language unknowingly. Let us take an example that you are about to meet a stranger or interview someone, what will you be looking even before they start? Their appearance and the way they carry themselves is the obvious answer. This is a part of the art!
Body language can be positive and negative. You can easily read into someone's behavior with this art. Open arms, eye contact, a smile on the face and ankle crossed while sitting talking all are a part of positive body language. Whereas puckered eyebrows, arms folded, shaking legs and pointing fingers are a part of negative body language. This is how interviewers mark their interviewees and you can read into a stranger's behavior.
You may think that why is it important? The need comes when you are thinking to build a long term relationship with a complete stranger. It could be an employee you are hiring for an important post or you going out to meet someone new. Then you may want to read into the behavior of a colleague.
In fact understanding body language will give a sight that will enable you to comprehend situations and people in a different way. It helps you to become a good problem solver which will help you in your professional as well personal life.
In a way this art of reading and understand body language will prove to be an asset to you. This can bring a development in you as you will see into things in a different way. It is a quality that people like to cultivate in them.
Plus if you follow others they will also appreciate and focus on your words more than anything else. It brings forth an increased reciprocation amongst your audience and you can lead from the front because of this. You can connect with any kind of people easily by understanding this non verbal communication!
In a nutshell it can be said that you should not get into too much into reading body language as this may lead you to misunderstandings. This is because a lot of people may suffer from nervous disorders or any kind of disorders which may make people do certain things that you may consider a negative body language.
Hence it is better that you base your observation on a mix of conversation and body language at times. One advice, don't forget the art of speaking. It is interesting to read and understand body language provided you really know it.