A few weeks ago a friend asked me if I wanted to go along to an event that combined networking with the art of learning to walk in high heels. To be honest, I wasn’t terribly interested. Not because I don’t like stillies, I love a bit of glamour – but as an ex air hostess, I have traversed the airport terminals of the world in vertiginous heels and didn’t think there was much I didn’t know sauntering in stilettos. I decided to go, because I wanted to hang out with my friend but didn’t have great expectations for the evening.
To say I was unprepared for the impact of the guest speaker, would be the understatement of the decade. After the end of my marriage I had wanted to rediscover my buried femininity instead of always being in my masculine energy; I’d read many books on the subject, as well as finding some great role models but I have never seen feminine power embodied so utterly and elegantly as it is by Chyna Whyne. To quote that famous line from Harry Met Sally, I thought to myself,” I’ll have some of what she’s having.”
It’s not surprising that Chyna has presence. She is a professional singer and has toured with Eric Clapton and Peter Gabrielle, amongst others. She has also modelled, which means she knows how to move but these elements are incidental: Chyna is captivating. She is not pretentious or superficial; totally at ease with herself she radiates happiness, fun and, of course, glamour. Chyna has a very generous heart and delights in helping women wake up to how fabulous they are, beneath their doubts, fears and self-criticism. Her belief that every woman is beautiful is infectious.
I have never seen feminine power embodied so utterly and elegantly as it is by Chyna Whyne. To quote that famous line from Harry Met Sally, I thought to myself,” I’ll have some of what she’s having.”
Her story is fascinating. Modelling and touring had meant that Chyna was always in high heels and had developed severe back problems, as a result. She had tried all kinds of treatments with little benefit, until someone suggested that she find an Alexander Technique teacher. The Alexander lessons not only completely healed her back but they also set her on a new path. She retrained as an Alexander teacher herself and has combined this knowledge with her love of glamour to help women learn to make an impact through moving elegantly and effortlessly in high heels. (Just to give you a little practical background knowledge, often we struggle to walk in heels, not only because we don’t know the techniques but also because many stilettos are badly made and unstable – see Chyna’s Rocking Test)
Twenty minutes into the evening I’d gone from ambivalent to completely enthralled. When Chyna asked for a volunteer to work with, my hand shot up like the classroom swat. I barely managed to restrain myself from shouting, “Me! Me!” I had a fabulous experience. What Chyna did in coaching me to walk with Swagga surpassed everything I had learned from books and seminars (thirty minutes versus the study of ten years). She shows you how to really experience your powerful femininity in your body, instead of as an intellectual theory. When you have felt something like that, you don’t forget it. If you have ever struggled to demonstrate presence in a board meeting, interview or presentation, Chyna’s techniques will allow you to tap into your most confident, relaxed powerful self. It’s also very effective when going on a date, (for which I am personally very grateful). Whenever you want to feel fabulous, you can just turn on your Swagga and enjoy the effects.
Chyna’s powerful femininity acts like a magnet. She recently went on holiday to Malta and before she knew it, the ladies she met around the pool and at the hotel’s yoga class were asking for the secrets of her extraordinary presence. She ended up doing an impromptu workshop which resulted in her being interviewed on Malta’s national television. Who wouldn’t want a bit of that kind of magnetism?
If you are intrigued and want to know more about Swagga you can have a taster of Chyna’s magic at the Villandry, 12 Waterloo Place, St James, SW1Y. She hosts Stiletto Heaven every Friday, 6.30-11.00pm. Also, she has a currently has a special offer on her three hour work shop at £90 instead of £150, following her Hope in Heels charity walk in Battersea Park on Saturday 30/05/15. The offer runs until 13/06/15 and 10% goes to her preferred HIV charity. Details on her website: www.walkinginstilettos.com
