From Britain’s Next Top Model to the catwalks of LA Fashion Week, high heel guru Chyna Whyne has helped thousands of women walk in stilettos. Now, ahead of her return to Malta, she tells Jo Caruana all about her techniques.
As a woman who totters around in heels most days a week, I hate to admit that I’m not very good at it. Because, while I do try to glide into meetings supported by a three-inch lift, the truth is that I’d probably much rather be wearing my pink trainers or, better yet, my bedroom slippers.
The fact is unfortunate: I find heels painful and, on a bad day, I have even been known to fall off them.
It’s for this very reason that I am thrilled to meet high-heel guru Chyna Whyne, who was recently in Malta to appear on TV programme Ilsien in-Nisa, and to give a range of workshops on how to make walking in heels so much easier using the Alexander Technique.
Based on the success of those workshops, she will now be returning to Malta between August 5 and 12 to hold further classes at the Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa in Attard.
Whyne, who is also a well-known singer and author, has dedicated much of her life to helping women feel confident in stilettos, and this has gained her international recognition.
She has shared her advice through a range of well-known media, including top shows like Britain’s Next Top Model and GMTV’s Day Break. She has also worked with leading designers at global fashion week events and even released a book.
“I wasn’t always a high-heel guru,” Whyne says with a smile as we stop for coffee.
“I actually got started in this area because I found it difficult to walk in high heels myself. At the time, I was touring as a singer with Bob Dylan, The Who and Eric Clapton, which meant I was on my feet for hours at a time while we were performing.”
This led Whyne to suffer chronic lower back pain and, after a particular year-long tour, she found she could no longer walk in heels at all.
“That’s how I came across the Alexander Technique,” she says.
“I began to have lessons in it and found that my back improved really quickly as a result, even though attempts at chiropracty, osteopathy and physiotherapy hadn’t worked long term.”
This improvement is what gave Whyne the impetus to take a three-year break from her singing career to study the technique herself in depth. During that time, she developed the concept behind how to master the art of high heels and, after completing her training, became an Alexander Technique trainer in her own right.
“Before I knew it, I was back in high heels and able to wear them all day and night without suffering. And, in the years that have followed, I have been thrilled to teach thousands of women all over the world to master their high heels too.”
Before I knew it I was back in high heels and able to wear them all day and night without suffering
Intrigued by Whyne’s enthusiasm, I am keen to try one her of workshops myself. While our lesson is short, she is quick to give me a crash course. She uses the Alexander Technique to lengthen my back and improve my posture and talks me through her tips for walking better in high heels.
The crash course works: I immediately find myself walking taller, extending my legs more confidently and balancing better. “Of course, it takes a few lessons to really perfect it and gain the most from the technique,” she says.
“But it’s impressive how quickly my students notice a difference in the way they walk and feel in heels.” That said, it isn’t just high-heel confidence that Whyne addresses but correct methods to avoid injury too. “If you don’t walk properly, then it’s very easy in injure yourself. Thousands of women do,” says the guru.
“If you don’t know the right techniques to support yourself, then you’re putting yourself at risk of lower back pain, ankle and knee injury and could even fall over.”
Whyne uses the Alexander Technique to correct all that by helping the body to achieve perfect balance and perfect posture, to improve coordination and relieve neck, back and shoulder pain.
“Posture speaks volumes,” she says.
“It is impossible to rectify poor posture by simply pulling yourself up and sitting straight, as you’ll quickly slump again. Using this technique, though, will help re-educate your neuromuscular system, so that your muscles can relearn their natural, proper position.
“Once you take lessons in this, it quickly becomes a way of life so that you can move in a poised way that prevents stress and pain on the body. So, once you are naturally balanced, every high heel-wearing experience will become easier too,” she explains.
I have to admit that, as I walk away from my meeting with Whyne, I do feel a bit taller, and my towering Mary Janes also seem quite a bit easier to walk in.
“And that was after just one lesson. It gets easier and easier, and your ‘swagga’ will get better and better!” she laughs.
“They may just be high heels, but I have experienced the confidence they bring and look forward to sharing that knowledge with more and more people through this next round of workshops.”
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