Learning how to have a proper posture and the right way to carry ourselves elegantly is important to us all. A correct posture instantly makes us look more attractive, feminine, confident, and elegant.
To me, there is nothing more elegant than a woman who knows how to carry herself well.
Can you imagine an elegant woman with a slouchy posture? The very notion is absurd. A woman can wear the most expensive dress, display the most detailed makeup, and present the most meticulous hairstyle, but if her posture is bad, the magic is gone.
A woman of true elegance does not slouch at a work meeting or slump her shoulders at the dining table; she is careful to keep her posture poised, straight, and tall wherever she goes.
Unfortunately, our modern lifestyle does nothing but diminish posture. We spend countless hours sitting at the computer table or watching TV, and usually do so with slouchy posture.
With a little attention and effort, we can easily learn how to maintain a proper posture and present ourselves with poise and elegance.
How to have a proper posture – from head to toe
Let’s break down the elements that affect our posture and address each of them separately.
Keep your head high:
Imagine that a helium-filled balloon is connected to the top of your head; the balloon pulls your entire body up, keeping your head high.
While you pull your head high, it is important to maintain your chin parallel to the ground.
A chin that is pointed upward can create an arrogant look, which is completely different from the confident, elegant look that we wish to achieve. Alternatively, if your chin is pointed down you can appear shy or insecure.
Keep your head high and your chin in the happy middle – parallel to the ground.
Roll your shoulders backwards and downwards:
The position of our shoulders greatly affects our posture and can even “make or break” our entire appearance; slouchy shoulders can instantly make us look lazy and sloppy.
Roll your shoulders backwards and downwards; that position will automatically bring your chest higher and create a confident look.
Now, ladies, let’s address a common mistake. Many women know that they need to roll their shoulders backwards, but miss the “downwards” part.
A “back and up” movement (even just slightly up) can create a stressed and tensed look; a tensed look is definitely not the goal that we are aiming for.
Use this simple practice to ease your shoulders into the correct position:
Stand in front of a mirror and roll your shoulders backwards several times. After you get used to the rolling motion, drop your shoulders downwards dramatically. Don’t be afraid to be a bit theatrical – this exercise is just used to find the right spot. The dramatic “drop-down” will give you the feeling of where your shoulders should be.
Tuck your belly in:
Have you ever heard the old saying “a man’s chest should enter the room before his belly”? Well, as much as that adage applies to men, I think that it is also applicable to women (with the exception of pregnant ladies, of course).
Remember to activate your muscles and tuck your belly in whenever you stand, walk, or sit. Slightly tucking our belly helps supporting our back and gives a more elongated, straight posture.
Keep your hips aligned:
Unfortunately, people usually forget the importance of hip placement. Personally, I consider hip placement key to good posture.
Many women tend to place their weight on one hip and to slouch towards their other, slightly bent hip (usually while placing a hand on their waist). Some might consider that pose “feminine”, but it can also appear sloppy.
If you want to elevate your posture, place your weight on one hip and then rotate the other hip upward; by doing so, you will achieve a more open, feminine and elevated look.
Gain self-awareness and check yourself:
If you want to improve your posture (or anything else for that matter), you have to gain self-awareness. Check your posture throughout the day and make small changes and fixes when needed.
Try to identify your weaknesses. Ask yourself which part of your posture you should strengthen and improve. Is it your abdominal muscles that find it hard to stay tucked, or perhaps your shoulders that keep slopping forward?
Once you’ve identified the weaknesses in your posture, you can start working to improve those weaknesses when walking, standing, and sitting.
With a bit of self-awareness and practice you can better your posture and present yourself with poise and elegance.
Simple ways to improve your posture:
There are many ways to improve our posture and to achieve our desired, elegant, silhouette.
The first (and most obvious way) is to practice good posture on a daily basis. Muscle’s memory is an important part of having a proper posture, and you can achieve it simply be practicing correct posture regularly.
Dance classes can also be a great option for improving your posture, confidence, and overall poise. Personally, I believe that any woman can benefit from some kind of dance classes. You can choose from many styles of dance. Whether you prefer to practice ballet, contemporary, salsa, or even pole dance – there is something for every personality and character.
Another option is to do some sort of strength or flexibility exercises (preferably both). Correct posture can also come from having a strong core and flexible muscles. Practice yoga or build a workout plan for the gym to better your posture naturally.
Do you prefer to practice with the help of an online guide at the comfort of own home, or to take professional classes at a studio or a gym? No matter the way you choose – the simplest steps can quickly change the way you present and carry yourself. Simply pick the method (or methods) that fits best with your lifestyle and make it a habit.
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