Personality Plus
The way you carry yourself says a lot about your personality. If you squirm and slouch your way around, it shows your lack of confidence. And if you don't think you're any better, then why would anyone else? So stand tall. Pull your stomach in, hold your head high and throw your shoulders back. (But for heaven's sake, don�t stick your chest out!)
Health Benefits
Not only does a good posture work wonders for personality development, it's good for your health too. If you slouch, you can bet that you're more likely to have back problems than someone who doesn't. Not only that, but you're not breathing right either. Ever think about how every time anyone asks you to take a deep breath, you straighten up? No? Well, think about it now. You don't stand straight, you're not breathing all the way to the bottom of your lungs and your body is not getting the oxygen it needs.
Practice, Practice
Changing your posture and the way you walk is not easy. You may straighten yourself in front of the mirror before stepping out but somewhere along the way you lose track and before you know it, you've got back your slouch. Remember, it has to be a conscious effort. And it takes practice. So switch on the music and get moving.
The best way to practice walking straight is by balancing a couple of books on your head. This sets your body into alignment, controls the bounce and gives your walk grace.
Pull your stomach in and you will automatically straighten out.
At times, when you try to straighten your shoulders you may tend to push them up instead of back, so push them down. Get your shoulders right by crossing your hands at your back and holding on to the opposite elbows.
Don't listen to anyone who tells you to place one foot directly in front of the other, unless you're practicing to be a model. Draw an imaginary line on the ground beneath your feet. Your footprints should fall on either side, as close to the line as possible.
Toes pointing outward, not inward. This gives the impression of being knock kneed - unless, of course, you ARE knock kneed in which case you need to see a professional.
Move as little of your upper body as possible.
DON'T
Bob your shoulders up and down or back and forth.
Move your neck forwards with every step you take.
Swing your hips too much unless you are on a catwalk! A slight, barely-there swing does the trick.
Lead with your head.
Take too large or too small steps.
Say Grace
Okay, now just because you don't slouch doesn't mean you've got it made. Ever notice how your eyes are sometimes drawn to a person simply because of how he or she carries herself? Grace is the keyword here. Think Grace Kelly. Just a photograph of her standing straight would speak miles of her grace. It was the way she carried herself - ramrod shoulders, squarely held chin... the personification of elegance. She was recently voted as the most elegant woman ever, with Audrey Hepburn a close second. And elegance is something you can achieve, even if you are not born with it. All it takes is determination. And practice, practice.
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