In the Russian language there is no exact equivalent of the French concept of allure. Grace of movements, lightness and grace. This quality is recognized immediately, it is admired, but practically cannot be described. Why do some of us possess them, while others do not?
Irresistible and amazing – this “something” instantly attracts the eye. The paradox is that its presence cannot be felt, but it is almost impossible to describe it. For the fashion historian François Baudot, the author of the book “Female Aegar”*, this is “a word that means everything and is absolutely impossible to decipher”. However, having placed in his book photographs of the owners of this quality – Coco Chanel, Jackie Kennedy, Ava Gardner, Kate Moss, Inessa de la Fressange, Twiggi, Audrey Hepburn, Paloma Picasso, the author proved: mysterious Allur – the quality is still perceptible. At least – the lens of the photographer!
The worldwide recognized style master Karl Lagerfeld speaks of him as something “unconscious, natural and exquisite-ton”. For the art director of the Chanel fashion house, it means “first of all to be in accordance with yourself, radiate confidence without pretentiousness and remain relaxed without any effort”. Beautiful clothes can emphasize this quality, but still it is not the main thing: “Allur is more than beauty, although it is not superfluous. This is the landing of the head, the manner of moving, the way to dress is not like others. “. This quality seems inseparable from the appearance of its owner, just as the part of our image of the correctly selected perfume becomes part. No wonder the brand of Chanel has released its famous Allure aroma, describing it as “inexplicable and absolutely irresistible”.
Movement to freedom
The French “Allure” originally comes from the verb “aller” – “go”, and means the movement itself – rapid or measured, as in equestrian sport, where this concept is united by a step, a lynx, and a gallop. Anthropologist David Le Breton confirms that “this mysterious gift is embodied precisely in the movement, which transforms the whole appearance – the face, body, and the voice, making their owner immediately noticeable and as if illuminated from the inside” **. For the psychoanalyst of Virginie Megglé, this external effect is a manifestation of an internal integrity of a person who never tries to impersonate who is not who is not. “This charm of nobility gives us precisely self -confidence, awareness of who we are, and a sense of our dignity,” she explains ***. However, it is better to recognize yourself and your desires, accept your own characteristics and become more confident in yourself – all this is possible in the process of psychotherapy. So where is the key to this charm – in the internal work on oneself or in the external – over the capabilities of your own body?
However, this issue can be considered rhetorical: modern psychology is well known that our internal state and state of our body – including the manner of holding, moving, a way to exist in the surrounding space
– are inextricably linked. Our body always says: about our temperament (for example, passionate or calm), but also about emotions, thoughts, about our mood at the moment. It simultaneously testifies to who we are and what we are striving for (again all the same movement, allur). In other words, the movements of our body embody the aspirations of the soul – that secret inner power, which leads us through life. The rhythm of our steps and the drawing of gestures give birth to a dance of the body – exciting, full of grace … or not. “The possession of allur assums that a person moves towards his own future with certain freedom – like a child who builds his own person outside the circle of parental custody,” continues Virzhini Megle. And therefore, regardless of age, each of us has a chance to free ourselves from this internal parental control. “Successful therapy facilitates our soul and frees the body from the shackles,” the psychoanalyst emphasizes.
To learn more
Club “On the 9th floor”
T. (916) 657 0904, Feldenkrais.ru
Classes according to the Feldenkraiz method take place twice a week. The cost is 350 rubles. For the lesson.
Tango Casa del Tango school
T. (495) 420 9744, Casadeltango.ru
The oldest school of Argentine tango in Moscow. Cost 7000 rubles. For 14 classes (basic course).
Covering gestures
But you can start changes with appearance, according to David Le Breton. And as an example, the parable leads: one ugly person hid his face behind the mask for a long time, and when it crashed, none of those around him and noticed his flaws. However, the anthropologist emphasizes, we can really change only if we do not commit violence against ourselves, do not force ourselves to changes and get pleasure from them. So, gymnastics will help to acquire confident posture, but also Tychi or Yoga, who teach to listen to their own body and remain in harmony with it. Dance, which many are used to understand only as a sequence of certain movements, also cannot be reduced to the only technique. “Music helps us to free our emotions, and a paired dance is better to feel not only yourself, but also your partner,” says Valentina Ustinova, teacher of Argen-Tango at the Moscow Casa del Tango school. And her colleague Ann-Marie Paillard from the Association LE Corps du Tango in his classes uses the Moshe Feldencraise method, who called this well-known rehabilitologist “Awakening of bodily integrity”, and as a result, “impossible, it becomes possible,possible – light, light – pleasant, and pleasant – elegant “****. “A person who really feels his body begins to enjoy every movement,” says Ann-Marie Payyr. – As a result, the dance becomes less constrained, he has true expressiveness and real class. “.
“Dance is when we are moving, feeling,” Gonzalo Quintero Romero, teacher of the Flmenko Flamenqueria Academy Flmenko, is convinced by Gonzalo Quintero. – In Spain, we say: “The wind takes away the words,” – but the body does not know how to lie. Body language is generally much more important than words. For me, dance is the best psychotherapist, it always helps to overcome internal barriers. Someone-to survive the pain, someone-to throw out rage, to someone-to reveal their sexuality. For example, I had a student who was shy in the dance to move her shoulders – because she would have attracted attention to her chest. But Franco is a passion. And when the girl finally allowed herself this movement, she felt a little more feminine, slightly freer. And her manner of keeping herself changed not only in the dance, but also in ordinary life … “
* F. Baudot “L’Llure des Femmes” (Assouline, 2001).
** D. Le Breton “éclats de voix, une anthropologie des voix” (Métailié, 2011).
*** v. Megglé, a. Aimelet “Aimer Son Physique Pour S’AcCepter Enfin” (Hachette Pratique, 2010).