Poise, Elegance, Grace, Beauty are names we like to be tagged with. But, it’s easy to forget manner these days, especially with work wears and clothing that allow us to hide the lack of it. A lady once confessed, “I dare not put on a dress, I rather stick to my trousers; if I dare try...”. I guess you can complete the statement in your mind. Who wants to be tagged on Facebook for sitting improperly in church or who wants to be twitted about in public for losing sight of how to sit?
There are so many cherished manners we can learn from traditional women, one of which is the graceful way they sit. Yes! We are the Techies in our ever moving, ever rolling fast world but we cannot afford to lose such great manner like a lost art.
By definition, ‘Sitting gracefully’ means to sit with dignity. It reveals a soft, sweet and beautiful side of you. Let’s just use the word ‘captivating; alluring’.
Ok! Ok!! OK!!!
So how do you sit gracefully
- Before you sit, prepare your body.
- Sit as close to the front of the chair as much as you can.
- As you sit, slide one foot back, then gracefully lower yourself into the seat, slightly sideways.
- Ensure that the thighs of your back leg is carrying the weight and not your knees
- Sit up straight with legs together and heels slightly to the rear. You can also sit with legs in front of you; angle your knees to either left or right side, or cross your ankles
- Place your hands together on your lap.
- Sit tall (Up): Straighten your spine, free the neck, and balance your head above your shoulders.
Note: there should be no space between the heel and the other ankle, and never sit with legs apart
If you have to cross your legs at the knee, ensure the length of your skirts are long enough for a cross. This also applies for trousers and shorts. However, if you are wearing a knee-length skirt or something shorter; it’s prim proper to cross your legs at the ankle.
You want to know when to apply these. Every time!
Practice makes perfect. Practice and Practice and Practice. Because of the day you step out for a formal date, business party, church event, especially, when you are ushered to sit in the front row or asked to chair a session facing the public. You are likely to do what you are used to doing, especially in moments you get carried away or you will struggle to be different all day.
Oluwamitomisin
