The Bite Magazine - Autmn/Winter 2020 - Issue 28

bitefilm herself up. Perhaps many women do the same to boost their confidence, happiness, and self-esteem. JoJo St.Claire raised the point that in various cultures, heels are perceived differently. For example, in the United States, you would wear high heels to the board room. In a talk, art historian and museum curator Lisa Small stated that heels transform the women who wear them. “They appear taller, and their entire posture changes. The chest is thrust for- ward, the derriere is lifted, the leg looks longer, the calf more taunt and rounded, and the foot smaller.” She added, “These temporary body modifications create a distinctive silhouette and gait that, for centuries and in different cultures, have signi- fied a luring femininity and stimulated the erotic imagination.” One intriguing scene in the documentary was a shoe in hues of red, black, and yellow on display at Micam, the footwear indus- try’s leading international trade fair, usually held in Milan, Italy, that turned out to be a model. It was an extremely creative way of illustrating the vibrant presence of the stiletto shoe in body form. Most women would agree that wearing high heels makes you look great and elevated, gives you an edge, allows you to revel in womanhood, and be empowered. Still, singer, model, writer, influencer, and make-up artist Nzinga Imani has a slightly dif- ferent opinion on these qualities. “My issue with women saying that they feel more empowered or anything with heels on, it’s a society thing,” she said. “It’s a mental conditioning to believe you’re seen that way when you have them on.” Looking at the implications of wearing heels from a medical perspective, chiropractor Dr Kerstin Halstead explained that heels elevate everything in the back, so your rear end sticks out a bit. It increases the curve in the lower back and puts a lot of pressure on the joints in the back of the spine and the front of the discs. Podiatrist Cheree Eldridge added when we’re walking on high heels; our body weight shifts forward to the tips of our toes and the ball of our feet, which throws our hips and spine out of alignment. Another interesting fact highlighted in the documentary was women driving in heels. The dangers in doing this include the heels getting stuck under the accelerator pedal which could re- sult in a car accident, a tendency to grind the heel into the car- pet creating several big holes, and misinterpreting the pressure applied to the pedals. As one expert said in a WAPT 16 News report, “The position of the pedals to your normal foot position does not allow for a stacked heel” so the best advice is to take them off when driving. The correct way to walk in heels is also emphasised and illus- trated step by step. Firstly, you must make sure you walk heel first because it’s going to stabilise the foot and give you more balance. Don’t walk toes first because it’ll look awkward (and it’d be obvious you haven’t mastered walking in heels). While you’re practising, place one foot in front of the other, which is “a great way to help identify your signature walk.” An eye-opening documentary that speaks about the history of heels, the reasons women wear them, the health implications and effect it has on the body, and the erotica of donning heels; High on Heels covered all the bases. It makes you both appre- ciate and acknowledge the pleasure and pain that these heeled shoes can bring but also the power, elevation, sex appeal, and stimulating aspect of them. High on Heels is available to watch on YouTube and Amazon Prime Video. https://adelingasana.com

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