Chyna Whyne
Singing sensation and model extraordinaire, Chyna Whyne is known for her love of heels, but her new project takes it to a whole new level as she prepares for her learning to walk in high heels classes to begin.
She will be teaching the likes of you and me how to walk properly in our skyscrapers and what's more, how to look elegant in doing so too.
We caught up with Chyna to chat about her new project, who she'd love to work with and just why men have been signing up for her lessons!
What have you been up to recently?
Well, I'm here in Jamaica promoting my single that's out of the moment, and it's really exciting. I've been doing lots of promotion here with the press and it's been really great, you know they're playing my record a lot on the radio and it's great for me.
What sort of sound is this new album?
It's an acoustic reggae. I kind of got to the point where I wanted to being the essence back into music you know, which is bringing it back to voice and guitar, and I started writing some songs around that and then starting gigging them and got such an amazing response, I thought I'm going to record it and I've done that, but I wanted to mix it in Jamaica, because I wanted that original sound of Jamaica, you know what I mean?
Tell me all about your new course for walking in high-heels....
At the moment I'm running them one-to-one and basically they are private lessons where people learn and re-educate themselves on how to properly walk in high heels, without damage to their back and keep a nice upright posture, and become much lighter on your feet, thus making the experience of high heels much more enjoyable.
Because the Alexandra technique is the basic principle behind it, it's not a fad, you know this isn't something like 'stand up, lean back er.. push your chest out' kind of thing, this is actual re-education, with a theory behind which will not only do you good for walking in high heels, but it will be good for everyday life, you know. Learning to use ourselves properly and that sort of thing, and the Alexandra technique can teach us that, but of course wearing our heels is very important first and foremost, so yes we need to learn how to do that as well!
What is the Alexandra Technique exactly?
It's the study of movement, the re-education of how you use yourself. What tends to happen is that we get into bad habits of movement without even realising it, until it manifests itself in pain. You wonder why you may have a backache or shoulder ache or something and the pain just stays there or gets worse, and what the Alexandra technique teaches us is it re-educates your body to realise when you're moving in a bad way, so it's beneficial for you.
Obviously we are mechanically designed to move in a certain way and the Alexandra technique brings us back to that. Also it will remind us that if we do get into bad habits or posture, it won't feel right and your body will go back to the new way that you've been introduced to, which is of course the correct posture.
Is it in the UK your running these courses?
Yes, in England and in Jamaica and it's becoming quite International now!
Would you like to get your hands on any celebrities with bad feet?!
Yes, I would actually. I'd like to work with Gwyneth Paltrow, I know she does really well in her heels anyway, but because of the height that she goes for I'm sure she may need so extra help, just to give her that extra bit of glide.
Can you give us some top tips on walking in high heels?
My first recommendation is that a lady starts her Alexandra lessons immediately and it will readdress her balance, re-educate her muscular system and get her system, so that needs to happen first.
Secondly I would say when wearing high heels, always lead with the ball of the foot, as opposed to the heel, leading with the ball gives you a much better sense of connecting with the ground and gives you more balance.
Know that you legs come from your core, I love that people think your legs come from their hips, the muscles actually go a lot further up, so when you're walking, know that you're legs are actually a lot further up and it gives you a lovely, elegant, lengthy stride.
Is it just for women or have you had a few men drop by for some tips?!
Well I have had some enquires from men and they've not yet followed through- but who knows!
What's the highest pair of heels you have ever worn?
I would say at least 7 inches, that's when I'm really feeling exotic though, I do vary the size of my heels I must say, its usually between 5 and 7 inches though. I vary them depending on what mood I'm in you know?
You've been involved with both music and modelling in the past, which did you prefer?
My music. I was born with a voice to sing, so my passion is music and the modelling thing kind of happened by chance. You know, everybody kept asking me if I was a model, and they said I should model.
So, I kind of though all right, I'll give it a go and took so pictures to send off. I'm linked with the Caribbean Fashion Week here at the moment, and they'd like me to do some modelling for them and also to sing, so I've got all of that coming up!
Ok, Chyna- good luck with everything, and we'll be seeing you soon for some high-heel lessons!
Well, that's fine. Thanks Laura!
FemaleFirst- Laura Terry