Posture in Heels?

[nasila]

When dancing in low heels, how do you adjust your weight distribution? Do you bend the knees more to keep the torso upright, or are you leaning forward a bit to keep off the heel while dancing?

I just got my first pair of ballroom shoes for an event next week, but I want to make sure I'm not putting pressure on my already problematic lower back and knees.

I seem to recall a similar thread a while back - if you could point me to it I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

[tahiradancer]

You stand in them the same way you stand in regular heal - weight distributed evenly, sotf knee and pelvis rolled into a 'neutral' position. . .

{{{HUGS}}}

[nasila]

Well, my ear & shoulder don't line up with my hips unless I bend my knees a little and engage my quads quite a bit to sit back. Is that what I'm supposed to do? Or do you just stay tilted forward (so that the ear/shoulder/hip/ankle line is angled slightly forward)?

I guess it's kind of a weird question, but I've hardly ever worn heels - I'm always in Birkies and negative-heel Earth shoes!!

[leylalanty]

Do NOT tilt forward!!!!!! When you stand/dance in heels, you very likely will have to bend your knees in order to keep the rest of your body in line. I'm glad you noticed that your ear and shoulder don't line up with your hips unless you bend you knees a little bit. That's an excellent test of your posture whatever your footwear happens to be. The best test is if your ear, shoulder, waist, hip, and ankle line up when viewed from the side. You will also have to be careful when you move your feet to keep most of your weight on the balls of your feet, especially when turning, so they don't "grab" the floor, possibly leading to an ankle injury.

And don't worry - it's not a weird question if you have little previous experience dancing, walking in shoes with raised heels.

Originally Posted by nasila

Well, my ear & shoulder don't line up with my hips unless I bend my knees a little and engage my quads quite a bit to sit back. Is that what I'm supposed to do? Or do you just stay tilted forward (so that the ear/shoulder/hip/ankle line is angled slightly forward)?

I guess it's kind of a weird question, but I've hardly ever worn heels - I'm always in Birkies and negative-heel Earth shoes!!

[tahiradancer]

It's not a weird question. I have worn heels almost all my life, so I barely think about it.

If you look at yourself in the mirror, ears shoulders and pelvis should align, yes? now, when you put on your heels, you'll notice that your natural tendancy is to stick your tush out. Then, engage your lower abs androll your pelvis forward. In order to do this, you will notice that you have to bend your knees just a smidge. Your weight should be down through your heels and evenly distributed over your foot.

[nasila]

Thanks. Am I correct in assuming that you're generally standing only on the ball when doing oriental style dance? I'm used to this barefoot and flat-shoed, but it's much more obvious when you can hear the heels click down.

I guess I never realized how much stress is put on the knees in heels...it's going to take some practice!

[Lisa Michelle]

Originally Posted by nasila

Well, my ear & shoulder don't line up with my hips unless I bend my knees a little and engage my quads quite a bit to sit back. Is that what I'm supposed to do? Or do you just stay tilted forward (so that the ear/shoulder/hip/ankle line is angled slightly forward)?

I guess it's kind of a weird question, but I've hardly ever worn heels - I'm always in Birkies and negative-heel Earth shoes!!

Yes to the sit back a bit idea, don't push forward. Keep your chest over your toes by pulling in slightly in the abdominal region and also bending the knees slightly. And keeping the chest lifted.

Lisa

[Safiyah]

Originally Posted by nasila

Thanks. Am I correct in assuming that you're generally standing only on the ball when doing oriental style dance? I'm used to this barefoot and flat-shoed, but it's much more obvious when you can hear the heels click down.

I guess I never realized how much stress is put on the knees in heels...it's going to take some practice!

You'll stand on the ball when travelling, yes. But if you hear your heels tap down, don't worry. Nobody will hear that when music is playing, and if they do it won't be weird since they know you're wearing shoes!

Honestly I wear heels in everyday life, but it took me a while to get used to wearing heels while dancing. 1 week is a really short time, especially if you aren't used to some heel. If you must wear them, be sure to wear them a lot over the next week. And practice shimmying - that was the one move that threw me off a bit (though now I can shimmy better in heels than flat footed!)

[nasila]

I'm really diggin the shoes. Shimmying does actually seem easier in them... well, shimmying in place anyways. :) Thanks for the tips, ladies!!