Correct Posture Gives you Grace

An aesthetically attractive posture needs neither the classical features of a Venus or an attractive Shakuntala nor the figure of a celestial nymph or an Apsara. A pleasing posture can be easily acquired and perfected.

Posture is an essential part of a well-groomed woman. One must walk erect-no hunching and no slouching. The body must be upright.

At the same time, the body must be relaxed and one’s movements should be fluid. In other words, one must not give the impression or a bamboo pole or a military man or imitate the unduly gait of a camel.

When walking, the leg should swing forward from the hip, in one gentle motion. Try to bend the knee as little as possible.

When the foot touches the ground, its toes, and not heel, should contact the ground first. When the heel touches the ground first, the walk, or rather the movement, seems “heavy”.

The toes should not slant outwards away from the ankle. The toes should either be straight or slightly inclined towards the inside of the ankle. Otherwise, the walk may resemble the waddling of a duck.

In many cases, people feel uncomfortable with their hands. They just can’t make up their minds about how to keep them occupied. Fold them across one’s chest, tuck them behind or swing them? Crack one’s knuckles or twist one’s fingers?

Hands look best, when they hang straight down by your sides. Don’t hold them rigidly – let them hang loosely.

The most important and probably the most neglected, is the elbow. The elbow should not turn inwards, towards the body. The inside of your elbow should face the side of your body.

Initially, this pose may seem rigid and stiff. But with practice, it will look graceful and elegant. When walking, don’t swing your arms from your shoulders, as in a march-past. Not only is this ungainly, but it looks rather unmanly too. All that a stylish walk requires is a gentle sway of arms, like the ebb and flow of the tide.

An elegant appearance

When you sit down too, small points have to be noticed to give that elegant appearance. The first ever rule, as every mother who has taught her daughter knows, is that the two knees should be placed as close as possible for that demure look. The feet should be planted straight together or inclined at a 45⁰ angle, to the right or left.

It is painful to watch a woman who knows only half her rules – who puts her knees together and forgets her ankles. Sit with your knees together, with your hands folded in your lap – and you will make an enchanting picture. Women who prefer to cross their knees should practice their posture before the mirror, a couple of times.

Often, ladies, especially in a sari or skirt, cross their knees while the lower knee is held at a right angle and the upper leg is crossed at 45⁰ or more. The mirror will reveal quire an immodest picture, for it exposes the calf of the lower leg. This pose, however, can be carried off in a pant suit, jeans, capris or a salwar-kameez suit, without giving an impression of immodesty.

A more charming and eye-catching posture will be to turn the knee of your lower leg slightly inwards and then cross your other leg, at an incline.

At the same time, I must add that the old-fashioned pose of placing your knees and feet together, either straight down or at an incline, gives the well-bred genteel appearance, at any time and any place.

And finally, a couple of tips for your face and head. The head should be held high and neck straight, to create that delicate swan-like look. Not everyone is small-boned and petite, nor is the neck always long and slender – but thinking of the swan is a good way ot start, when positioning your neck and face!

Let us not forget the insignificant little chin. It should be tilted up, ever so slightly, for that cool, suave, confident look. But beware of your chin sticking out too much lest it should give you that supercilious look.

When I was a teenager, I had acquired all the bad postures and habits peculiar to that age – hunched shoulders, bent neck, a springy walk that was almost like a hop-skip-and-jump, hands inevitably digging into pockets and a bobbing head, revolving like a little merry-go-round! All well-meaning advice and scolding fell on deaf ears until my father took a firm stand and put his foot down. No scolding – but just a little exercise.

A book was placed on my head and I was required to walk the length of our corridor! Before I could take three steps, the book would come tumbling down! But I was forced to persist and the results began to be visible after two weeks. It corrected my posture admirably. Father’s advice is as trusted as any of granny’s home remedies. Try it.

A woman’s appeal, to a certain extent, lies in her graceful posture. A classical and refined posture is aesthetically pleasing. It is not a dream that vanishes in the morning and cannot be attained. After all, Prof Higgins transformed a mere flower-girl into “My Fair Lady”, didn’t he?

The posture that pleases the eye and flatters  your vivacious person with lavish praise speaks volumes of your cool, confident ways.

(Guest Post by Agnes D.)