Posture (or lack thereof)

[Chris Stratton]

So I was watching Oprah (well, what else are you going to do in the laundramat? practice in front of the security camera???) and her guest was some fashion designer. At some point they had models come out to show examples from his collection.

All of these girls had really terrible, belly-forward, top backweighted posture. It almost looked as if it was by intent - as if the dresses were designed with that in mind.

If this is the new look for the public, dance teachers are in for some hard work.

[Angelo]

It doesn't seem to be holding them back from getting work in their chosen profession

[Ashley]

Actually, a few months ago, the New York Times Style section ran an article about how slouching was "in" for posing for photographs. I'm not sure if that trend has anything to do with what you saw.

[Chris Stratton]

It doesn't seem to be holding them back from getting work in their chosen profession

That brings up an interesting, and much broader point: our world seems to have gotten very pragmatic. If something doesn't seem to be holding you back in the near term, then maybe it's not a problem. Let things develop a little further, and if you manage to achieve some measurable success while still doing "it" pretty soon you are held up as proof that "it" is the right way!

[Chris Stratton]

Actually, a few months ago, the New York Times Style section ran an article about how slouching was "in" for posing for photographs. I'm not sure if that trend has anything to do with what you saw.

I could believe it was... it almost looked as if they were trying to slouch intentionally, but that it wasn't yet feeling like a natural, comfortable position.

[Angelo]

That brings up an interesting, and much broader point: our world seems to have gotten very pragmatic. If something doesn't seem to be holding you back in the near term, then maybe it's not a problem. Let things develop a little further, and if you manage to achieve some measurable success while still doing "it" pretty soon you are held up as proof that "it" is the right way!

Or at least one of multiple ways to proverbially skin the same cat

[randomMysh]

They are slouching intentionally. It is a "look" that goes with the extremely tall, extremely thin thing that is required for the runway models. The "wispy" look. Or something. I think it has something to do with the fact that on anyone with any other kind of body this posture would make them look 10 pounds heavier, but on them, it gives a glamour slouch to the clothes. :?

Notice how controlled it is, though. Their hips are jutted forward and their lower backs are curved as a result, but their shoulders are still straightened and they make a brave attempt to keep their chests up, impossible as that is with one's back curved like that.

I just can't imagine how can they do that in the heels they wear. Poor things.

[gte692h]

All of these girls had really terrible, belly-forward, top backweighted posture. It almost looked as if it was by intent - as if the dresses were designed with that in mind.



wait till they're 50, and they look like arabian camels ;)

things like posture stand the test of time, unlike these silly fashion fads. I got sold on good posture when i was a kid. we were at the airport, and i saw an old man from the army, standing in the corner. But his posture was so unlike an old man's, it was like he was towering above everybody, even though he wasn't that tall.

a good posture always gives the illusion of confidence and authority..

[randomMysh]

a good posture always gives the illusion of confidence and authority..

...not to mention rids you of back pain. :D

[Larinda McRaven]

One of the easist things to say my older students is "Slouching adds 20 years to your appearance!"

They may not be able to have good posture consistently... but they sure want it after a comment like that.

[dancin_feet]

To walk like a model, you need to walk with your hips forward. What this does to the rest of your body gives you the "catwalk" look and strut. I've always noticed this, didn't know it was a new trend. :shock:

No wonder clothes don't fit me if they are made to sit on a body like that! :x :lol:

[pianoman]

I just had this random thought:

is the 'catwalk look' very similar to jive's 'Chicken Walks'?

[DanceMentor]

One of the easist things to say my older students is "Slouching adds 20 years to your appearance!"

They may not be able to have good posture consistently... but they sure want it after a comment like that.

I like that one! I'm going to use that.

I like to tell people to find the point approximately just above the center of their chest, and think of lifting the head from there.

[Chris Stratton]

One of the easist things to say my older students is "Slouching adds 20 years to your appearance!"

They may not be able to have good posture consistently... but they sure want it after a comment like that.

Persuasion like that is good. One thing I think I've decided is that no one short of a drill instructor can force you to learn good posture... outside of that, the only way we ever get it is if we decide it's something we really want, and become in effect your own drill instructors whenever we catch sight of a mirror or sufficiently reflective window.

Dance teachers and friends can help with hints for why we'd want it, and help with details of how it could be done, but it's probably up to the dancer themselves to enforce progress.

[johns]

One of the easist things to say my older students is "Slouching adds 20 years to your appearance!"

They may not be able to have good posture consistently... but they sure want it after a comment like that.

Persuasion like that is good. One thing I think I've decided is that no one short of a drill instructor can force you to learn good posture... outside of that, the only way we ever get it is if we decide it's something we really want, and become in effect your own drill instructors whenever we catch sight of a mirror or sufficiently reflective window.

Dance teachers and friends can help with hints for why we'd want it, and help with details of how it could be done, but it's probably up to the dancer themselves to enforce progress.

As an undergrad, I took a course titled, "How to teach scientific concepts to children in a non-classroom environment." In essence, we spent one evening a week at the Lawrence Hall of Science being taught like children of a certain age. After each session, we discussed the learning experience, the intentions of the teachers, and why they taught children of a particular age range that way.

The main tenet of the instructor was this: "You can never teach anyone anything. All you can do is provide opportunities for them to learn." The hope, of course, is that teachers can inspire their students to want to learn.

- John

[pygmalion]

Unless I'm totally zoning out and forgetting my fashion history, playing around with that S-curved back has been a fashion statement since the early twentieth century, on and off. The first period in which I know that was a style was just prior to WWI in the US. Eh. It comes and goes. It's not that big a deal, in my view, unless it becomes all -pervasive and starts hurting aspiring dancers in droves.

As far as the twenty years younger remark, I have a story. The last time I went to buy a wig (or hair for extensions?) the salesgirl, who may have been seventeen or eighteen, complimented me that the hairstyle I was trying on made me look twenty years younger. Umm... I'm not nearly old enough for that remark to be considered complimentary. (Not to mention that I'm a sexy old broad. LOL) I wasn't offended, but I did take note that she was totally clueless. So I thanked her politely and left, then went to another store and bought my wig. Be careful how you use age as a carrot for your students, IMO. It's a tricky one. :wink: :lol:

[randomMysh]

Actually, the S posture was reeeally big in the early Renaissance period. If you look at the portraits from that time, all the ladies have teensy little slumped shoulders and biiig hips jutting out at you. They did that because it made them look pregnant :shock: which, at a time when fertility was very important, was an alluring look. They also gathered their skirts over their belly to heighten that effect.

Now, if it made them look pregnant...what does it do to us??

[pygmalion]

Normal women? Or teeny, tiny, skinny women? :roll: :lol:

[Twilight_Elena]

I actually can't get it, this model look. See, I do this funny experiment every time I'm in front of a mirror, alone. I slouch and see how it looks. Then I do full ballroom posture. Makes me look much more confident and attractive.
So explain to me again, why slouch? :roll:

Twilight Elena

[Ms_Sunlight]

Good posture makes you look slimmer. So if you are chronically underweight and lacking in muscle mass like a Calvin Klein model, maybe slouching helps you look normal?

I can't stand those starved models in the adverts, they just look ill to me. Like surly teenage junkies.