Maybe this could help. It's one of the pages from the site I mencioned earlier. Unfortunatelly, the pictures didn't post. Could someone help me wit this techincal problem?
Thanks
Sergio Lessa
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Some women find it extremely difficult to walk easily in stiletto heels. Some of this judgment undoubtedly comes from issues of personal adaptability, but nevertheless, most problems come from attempting to walk the same way as one does when wearing flat shoes, something which will clearly produce disappointing results.
Walking in stiletto heels requires very studied and precise movements. In the beginning it will be necessary to concentrate closely on the position of the various parts of the body, particularly on the distribution of weight: once you incorporate these techniques, your movements will become fluid and uninhibited without requiring continuous attention. To make a very fitting comparison, to walk with high heels is like learning to drive: at first our movements are slow and self-conscious, since we are forced to reflect before every action, then - once we’ve acquired enough familiarity - the various actions are done automatically, and we are free to listen to the radio, to see the sights or to converse with whoever is with us.
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[FONT="]Theory[/FONT]
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[/FONT][FONT="]Part 1.[/FONT][FONT="] - [/FONT][FONT="]Cross-Sectional Balancing [/FONT][FONT="]
When standing upright, a large part of the weight of the body is placed on the bones of the heel, and only a minimal proportion on the front part of the foot. This fact creates some difficulties when wearing stiletto heels for the first time, since the weight is supported on an elevated and unstable structure, with the subsequent problems of balance. The only way to maintain stability, therefore, is to set the heel perfectly vertical, and to bring however much weight is possible on the front part of the foot: the toes rest in their natural manner, effectively opposing any slipping to the sides. To improve your balance, imagine a line between the back of the heel and the point of the foot, and always try to let the weight of your body fall along that line.
In the beginning you will sometimes feel like saying "I’ve lost my balance, and so my shoe is tipping over;" in reality the opposite is happening: your shoe is tilted and therefore it’s impossible to maintain your balance. Observe the following photo as an example: the lines of the legs continue to the heel directly, and the verticality of this latter guarantees reliable support. [/FONT]
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To acquire cross-sectional balance is perhaps the most difficult thing: however, once you’ve acquired the ability to handle sideslips, you will use it in every phase of the footstep, without the need for continual adjustment.
[/FONT][FONT="]Part 2.[/FONT][FONT="] - [/FONT][FONT="]Longitudinal Balancing[/FONT][FONT="]
Unlike cross-sectional balancing, which never changes, longitudinal balance varies continuously through the various phases of the footstep. In other words, if from side to side the weight of the body must always fall in a line with the heel, the distribution of the weight between heel and toe varies continually throughout the footstep.
In this section we will use a few photos, adding some particular indications in order to improve their effectiveness: a [/FONT][FONT="]black triangle[/FONT][FONT="] signals a point where the shoe touches the floor and supports the weight of the body; a [/FONT][FONT="]white triangle[/FONT][FONT="] indicates a point where the shoe touches the floor, but without any weight loaded onto it[/FONT]
[FONT="]Phase 1:[/FONT][FONT="] Standing [/FONT]
[FONT="]In the resting position, the weight placed on the point of the foot and on the heel. Balance is made easier if one knee is bent in slightly, and the other in the opposite direction: by alternating the position of the two legs, it is possible to improve your stability using only small movements. This movement also helps to decrease fatigue, and is therefore an effective technique when the feet start to ache.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Phase 2:[/FONT][FONT="] Moving the Weight [/FONT]
[FONT="]The weight is gradually moved onto the leg opposite the one which will move. For instance, if you want to carry your right leg ahead, it is necessary to move the weight of the body onto the left foot. In this way the left foot touches the ground but doesn't discharge any weight, leaving you ready to move forward.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Phase 3:[/FONT][FONT="] Ahead with the Foot[/FONT]
[FONT="]The whole weight of the body has been loaded onto the left foot: the right foot can then be lifted from the ground without changing your balance substantially.
Next, the right foot is carried ahead until the heel touches the floor. As indicated by the symbols, it is necessary to support the only the tip of the heel, leaving the weight on the other foot.
If instead you try to lean onto the forward heel you risk a fall, because you’re attempting to place your confidence on something neither upright or flat - therefore it is highly unstable. . [/FONT]
[FONT="]Phase 4:[/FONT][FONT="] Down with the Weight [/FONT]
[FONT="]Making a pivot on the heel, the right ankle is rotated slowly until it completely supports the point; the toes of the left foot are flexed, lifting the heel from the ground. Simultaneously the weight is brought onto the right foot (which now can support it in a stable manner) while the left one is being unloaded, and is ready therefore to be moved ahead. [/FONT]
[FONT="]In the beginning it will be nearly inevitable to move a bit awkwardly because you’re paying careful attention to correct execution, but soon the various phases will be melt one into the other, giving a fluid and elegant stride.
It’s also important initially to walk with footsteps that are smaller than normal, carefully assembling a perfect execution of the movements and the balancing of weight: speed and boldness will come later, almost without realizing it. For the first attempts you should choose a stable floor (avoiding carpets) and try to walk along a wall or other stable support. The presence of another person would be helpful, not only for balance if needed but to also to point out possible errors.
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[FONT="]Common Errors[/FONT]
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[/FONT][FONT="]Error 1:[/FONT][FONT="] The Pendulum[/FONT][FONT="]
This expression describes an accentuated movement of the [/FONT][FONT="]derriére[/FONT][FONT="], moving to the right and left as the pendulum of an antique clock. This is due to the fact that a lot of women try to walk by arranging the feet along an imaginary line traced on the ground, thus unconsciously imitating the stride of models and actresses. [/FONT][FONT="]The situation is exemplified by the following figure: [/FONT]
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Despite how often this style of walking is seen in the cinema and on television, it is an incorrect stride, potentially in bad taste.
A certain movement is inevitable, but it must be treated as a kind of sinuous oscillation that involves the whole body and certainly not just the buttocks. In fact, the correct position of the extremities is not very different from normal, and rather the balance improves appreciably by widening the area of support, as is observed here:
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[/FONT][FONT="]Error 2:[/FONT][FONT="] The Duckling [/FONT][FONT="]
This error consists of trying to support the point of the forward foot instead of the heel. It is an instinctive behavior, one however that causes a graceless and rather inelegant stride, very much like that of a certain animal known from the courtyard. [/FONT][FONT="]The situation is exemplified by the following figure: [/FONT]
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[/FONT][FONT="]Error 3:[/FONT][FONT="] The Skier [/FONT][FONT="]
A lot of women walk (or stand still on their feet) holding the knees very flexed to avoid too straight an angle between the foreleg and the instep. The knees are bent excessively and the buttocks are in a position that is low and pushed back. The walk that is derived is very graceless, while the continuous effort to maintain this position causes rapid fatigue of the back and pelvis. [/FONT][FONT="]The defect has often been associated to "The Duckling." [/FONT]
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[/FONT][FONT="]Error 4:[/FONT][FONT="] The Chicken Thigh[/FONT][FONT="]
Another incorrect way to wear high heels is the so-called "bicyclist calf". A lot of women maintain a stiff, unnatural position that implies a muscular spasm of the calf, and generally of the whole leg. This (as demonstrated by the following figure) produces the look of the thigh of a chicken. [/FONT]