Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Posture, Posture, Posture!!!

One of my biggest pet peeves dates back to my 7th grade year... My friend, A, wore a pair of "high" heeled pumps to school (I say "high" because I think the heel was only an inch and a half or so, but still...). She walked the same awkward walk all day: Shoulders hunched forward, the top half of her body leaning forward at a slight angle, knees perpetually bent. From that moment on, I cringe at the way certain women walk in heels...
Look, it is never necessary for a girl to wear high heels, no matter how tall or short one may be. There are benefits to wearing a nice, high-heeled shoe, however, and the main one is that it lenghthens the leg and causes the calves to contract in such a way that the shoes can make anyone's legs look stunning.
The caveat here is that you MUST stand up straight and walk normally. It is not NORMAL for a perfectly healthy human being to walk around like the Hunchback of Notre Dame! If you are unwilling to stand up tall and be proud and show off your legs (even when wearing pants), then retire your heels. You aren't showing yourself off to your best advantage.
And here are a few posture-improving tips:
  • Take a ballet class (there are tons of beginner adult classes available all over the place and many of them offer a "pay as you go" alternative so that you are not locked into a several-month commitment.
  • Take a modeling class (see above).
  • In lieu of either of the above two options, practice. Use the old book-balance routine. Shoulders back, head up, and center your core (you should imagine your back is up against a pole running straight up and down).

No comments: