Are you graceful?

[Amrapaali]

Do you glide when you walk? And are your body movements thoughtful, measured and economical? How do you do it??!! [wails]

Last week I caught sight of myself walking past a shop window. And I was horrified, I tell you, absolutely flummoxed. It took me a good few minutes to recognise the Neanderthal walking past in the glass window.

Ok I knew I slouched a bit but this is the first time I actually saw myself walking- shoulders slouched, clumping along with a fierce scowl on my face. Ewww...

I've started improving my posture, standing up straight and actually people noticed me. The attention I got (Not like Madame Brick, but I DID see someone do the sidelong glance, the double take).

It may be because with a proper ramrod straight spine, my norks were actually in their face and not dropping down like spaniel's ears. But hey ho, I'll take it

Oh, another aside to this boring rambling- I've found I'm not clumsy anymore, once I start thinking about where my body is at any moment. Result!!

I think I am
My granny drummed it into me from an early age "shoulders back,chest out,back straight,chin up"
Also I walk in a burlesque fashion,one foot directly in front of the other, it gives you a very appealing wiggle!
In the house or round the office I'm less aware of my posture and therefore a bit clumpy and clumsy.

I tried the walking along a fat line thing today - was great! It slowed me down (which is a good thing, I zoom about at 90mph and wonder why I feel flustered all the time) and made my movements more relaxed and deliberate. And was definitely wiggly/minxy. So I have upgraded to minxy duck.

I am always told that I am elegant/graceful. It's true what some of the others have said about doing things slowly, with an imaginary string pulling up through your head and letting your feet follow an imaginary line. Try to lengthen your footsteps. The trick I think is to just use that as a loose guide and try to replace 'bitchy resting face' with your 'pleasant' face. All of this takes practise.

People at work would always accuse me of creeping up on them and making them jump! As though I had just appeared in the room because I am a silent mover lol. Perhaps trying to move confidently and quietly helps.

I forgot to add - try walking as if you're being pulled forward slightly by your pelvis/hips. Sounds odd but it works for me.

Hurrah for minxy ducks

Whoo-hoo!! MadBus for becoming a minxy duck...

Does this mean you won't be part of our Clumsy Club anymore?

Confessions what's the key to walking slowly and people thinking you are elegant rather than lazy?

I am actually quite slow, and feel like I'm dragging my feet. It comes back to posture, I guess....

No. I often walk into doorways and trip over my own feet. I managed to break my ankle and foot by doing precisely nothing
I fell over when we lived above a pub (running round a corner with shiny rights and no shoes), smashed my chin on the door handle and bemused customers downstairs were showered with dried hops off the ceiling

I'm always told I am. Years of dancing (ballroom). For me, it's the heels that does it. Stand up straight, cross one foot slightly infront of the other when you walk to maximise hip wiggle (heels help). Learn not just how to walk in heels, but how to run, jump, climb ladders etc.. Once you can do that, the rest is easy. Oh yeah, and don't give up!! Learning to do everything in heels is uncomfortable at first, but once you are used to it, it's second nature. I live in my heels.

I'm not really (my posture isn't great, despite pilates). However I have tried to improve the way I walk, which helps. I don't want to wiggle and I rarely wear heels, but I do walk with my feet pointing straight forward and close together). I used to turn them out, keeping them straight helps my bad back). Also keep it light, DH crashes around flat footed, I step lightly onto my heels and roll my foot down.

DD(7) is very graceful despite being Friday's child but she does do ballet.

Sorry, random extra brackets there.

Ok, here's an update, you galumphers. I've been trying the String Theory for a couple of days now. Seems to be working. But I've ended up with al almighty back ache. Am I doing it wrong? Should I go back to my cave woman gait?