MAKING PROGRESS IN POSING

~ Dear all, my apologies for the unannounced hiatus on my posts. Focusing on the culmination of my crashed computer, getting a bit disorganized, and focusing on family stuff got me a bit distracted but I'm back on the grind :).~

   
     I have begun posing lessons with my bikini coaches, which I was so excited for! Posing in bikini, in comparison to the other bodybuilding categories, differs in that flexing is minimal.  My coaches, who are both NPC judges and bodybuilding promoters, advised me that the only pose requiring flexing is the back pose.  So, for the most part, focus is on posture, gracefulness, and "personality." The latter is a form of stage presentation on the part of the competitor unique to herself.

     The biggest challenge I have noticed so far in posing is  establishing bodily self awareness. As a bodybuilding competitor your job is to present the best physique possible while appeasing the aesthetic tastes of the judges. A competitor must know his or her best angles to flatter the final  package he or she might bring on stage while manipulating perspective, lighting, etc.

    My second biggest challenge with posing has to be the discomfort of being critiqued with so little clothing on. It is a foreign feeling having professionals in a world of incredibly athletic, toned people chime in on the areas to improve on your physique. However, all the comments have been incredibly constructive and seeing my weak points in the mirror  motivates me to get on that stair stepper in the morning to get even closer to my goal.

     To practice, my coaches ask that I practice 15 minutes every day. This serves both to help with my balance (I don't wear heels often) and comfort on the stage. I use the time to imagine what it would feel like to be in the competition mindset. "A quarter turn to the right," I can hear the judges say on the microphone. I imagine my fellow competitors, the chitchat backstage, and knowing my work in the gym is done and all that is left to do is in front of the judges. I will have the feeling of accomplishment knowing my consistency, integrity, dedication, and passion have all brought me to that point.

       At every session I feel as if I'm learning a choreographed dance. At this moment, I feel my movements feel a bit choppy and mechanical, but I know with practice they will become more natural and lithe. I am learning that the best bet in bikini is to master the posing to convey confidence, gracefulness, and of course, best flatter the physique presented. On that note, off to bed to prep for an AM cardio session.

More on NPC Bikini Posing with my girl, India Paulino

Be Positive. Be Mindful. Be Persistent.

~Adriannie~