Au Naturelle: Body Movement
This article appeared in Transgender Forum

Some of TGF's prettiest readers have agreed to share with us their favorite style, beauty and "how-to" tips. This time we hear from one beautiful lady, with some of her tips on how she achieves her look.

Besides makeup, hair, clothes and accessories, we all should be aware of our body movement and the inner self.

First issue is body movement. Be natural, your body moves naturally when you walk, talk, dance, eat and make love. If you try to move unnaturally doing any of these things, you will look ridiculous and be noticed and read. Always remember the golden rule: if is doesn't feel and look natural to you, it won't appear natural to anyone else.

Body movements can be improved upon and feminized if you take the time to improve correctly. Become more aware of your body. Feel your body move and notice how it reacts to all stimuli.

Recognize what you are doing and how your body is moving. Remember that natural women move naturally, they don't accentuate anything. Begin to watch how other women move, sit, talk, etc. You will see that most are not much different than us. Women are more aware of their body and more centered. Their body parts move separately, especially if they are curvaceous and have that hourglass figure that we would die for!

But again, we don't have that hourglass figure and our body can't move exactly like that naturally. Just imagine a man trying to simulate Monroe as she walked by the train in "Some Like It Hot"; or Leslie Warren gyrating in the club scene in "Victor, Victoria." He would look ridiculous. Look at a professional football player…their body movements have been compared to a ballet dancer. Both have had to become more aware of their body and improve their movement.

I suggest dancing for starters. Disco dancing. Always let your body move naturally to the music- become aware of how your body moves. Don't force any movement, just move; the more you let your body go, the more graceful you become. Dance, dance, dance. After a while, you will get it. You will feel your breasts and hips move separately, your arms, everything, Enjoy it! Have fun doing it! You will feel great!

After loosening up and mastering disco (you don't have to be a great dancer), I suggest taking a series of modern dance classes. You will be amazed at how more aware you will HAVE TO become of your body. When I was younger, I danced at Alvin Ailey for a few years and was amazed at my body development and style of grace that developed. I recommend this highly. Besides, you never know whom you may meet on the dance floor!

Practice walking with a thick book on the top of your head, making little waves and pirouetting. I think you are beginning to get the idea. Remember, DON'T EXAGGERATE, move naturally, no forced movements. Have fun! After you have become more graceful and aware of yourself, your body will react more femininely.

OK, so now we are out and about having fun. Disco Dancing! The next step… Dance with a MAN! Let him lead, try to follow, then dance with him embracing and lose ALL control. Your body has to move naturally. How wonderful! NOW YOU HAVE IT!

Next, when naked or in underwear, looking in a mirror, try to move your hips and nothing else. ISOLATE them. Just hips. First move them side to side then forward and back. For the more adventurous, try figure eights. Get used to them moving by themselves. Your waist and upper body should not move. Pull up your upper body away from your waist. Concentrate on hip movement only. Practice!

Try to isolate other parts of your body and move them separately similarly. When you achieve moderate success at this you will then understand why women's bodies move the way they do. You can then try to simulate this movement slightly. Don't exaggerate, move naturally. AH! Your hips are moving like women's. Congratulations!!

Stay well & pretty!!