Walk Like a Diva

I love shoes. I have an entire collection in my closet. But I have failed to master the art of walking in heels. I remember when I was little and used to stomp around the house in my mom’s sliver like a wee supermodel of the suburbs. Sadly, today, I still look like a child in my mama’s heel. I know I can walk gracefully in them, but I am a bit clumsy and when I’m out, if something goes wrong, I want to be able to run. So here I am, a girl with pretty heels that collect dust in my closet.

I knew I needed to get over my heel phobia. If I was going to keep on buying heels, I was damn well going to master the art of high heel walking. So when I was invited to Il Primo Passo’s “Walk like a Diva” taught by the fabulous Queen Jazzman, I was game. She might not be Miss Jay from America's Next Top Model, but she’s the next best thing. That girl could do everything in heels and I wanted to learn as well. I was determined to turn my baby steps into a cool strut even if it killed me. Ok, I wouldn’t go that far, but I was willing to have hurt feet and a few blisters for a while.

We each got numbers so that Jazzmun could assess our walk. The mantra for the class was that the walk was not about us, but rather the shoes. One by one, we all showed off our walk while the rest of the class clapped and encouraged each other. It was so much fun! Talk about girl power. Everyone was getting good feedback. Then it was my turn, and I was a little nervous about showing off my sad walk in front of others, but then again, these girls are here to learn the same thing. So I let all my nerves go and showed my walk.

Too bad, I didn’t make it that far. Queen Jazzmun had me walk a few times. Damn, I knew I was bad, but not that bad. I felt like the worst witch of the heels class. The queen was nice about it and she really wanted to help me with my walk. I was given clear cut instruction- take my hand out of my pockets, look ahead and submit to the shoes. It was not about me, it was all about the shoes. And when I did submit, I got a new wave of confidence that I never had before. I was strutting in my heels and it felt great!

It was not just me, the entire class was doing their thing. We were posing, twirling and stomping like we were all models in a runway show. We even had an audience from customers from the neighbouring Pinkberry, who were giving us stares and giggles. But it didn’t bother me; I liked an audience by then. I had gotten drunk with my new power and I wanted to show off. It was funny. I was finally walking in heels for the last hour and I was getting cocky. But I didn’t care, it felt so good. Move over Kate and Naomi, there’s a new diva hot on your heels. And she goes by the name of Yolanda Evans.

After the class was over, I stomped my way out of that store like I never stomped before. I was fierce and I loved it. Finally, I could walk in heels. No more baby wobble steps for me, I upgraded to a super strut. My heels in my closet no longer collect dust; they are getting wear and tear from me showing them off.

Look out world, it’s me, Yolanda, and I own these shoes. Or better yet, these shoes own me. So I just submit and let them lead.

~ Yolanda Evans