The Nonverbal Group

Offering workshops and intensive classes in everything from catching a lie to reading the authenticity of a smile, the Nonverbal Group is an incredible resource for folks of all ages hoping to better understand what their (and their friends' or dates') bodies are saying when they're unaware. Founded and managed by Blake Eastman, this loft-turned-classroom hosts 18-hour intensive courses (broken up over several days) and one-off 3-hour workshops analyzing nonverbal communication. I attended three workshops over the course of a week: "Deception Detection", "Body Language Explained", and "The Dating Workshop". The deception and body language courses were broken into a loose structure beginning with Blake's core overview of nonverbal communication, followed by a practical application section and a Q&A section. The dating class was similar, but Blake periodically asked all students to stand up and interact with each other in one-to-one and group situations. Blake was a great host and instructor, making students feel at ease and shaping the class according to the specific needs or questions of those in attendance. Classes often made mention of signing up for some of the longer workshops, but at no point did I feel pressured. In addition to teaching the classes, Blake also sends out an occasional newsletter to students interested in learning more about the Nonverbal Group's various services and events, which run the gamut from book clubs and research to informal "cocktail parties". I would definitely recommend everyone take at least one class as it was fun and very educational.