A former catwalk model shares 4 body language tricks to look more confident. She says confidence is the best accessory.
Olga Kuznetcova
- Olga Kuznetcova is a New York City based ex model.
- She said body language is the key to looking confident.
- Kuznetcova teaches classes in New York to show women how to move with confidence.
Olga Kuznetcova is a New York City-based former model turned confidence coach.
After moving to New York in 2016 from Solikamsk — a small town in Russia — Kuznetcova began her modeling career in America, walking in fashion shows and teaching at a children's modeling school where she would coach teenagers and young girls on runway walking.
There she learned the tricks of the trade that she now uses in her confidence coaching classes.
After completing a one-year coaching course at Columbia University, she began coaching female clients on how to progress their careers through goal setting, planning, and innovative thinking. But something was missing.
Her friends working in corporate roles saw how she was coaching fellow models to walk confidently, and realized they too needed help to assert themselves in their work environment.
"And it sort of clicked with me," she said in a recent conversation with Business Insider, adding that "developing a presence" is just as important as the practical skills she was teaching her coaching clients.
Kuznetcova told BI: "The less you do, the more confident you look. That's the secret."
Now, Kuznetcova's school, Elegance NY, has garnered millions of views on TikTok. She told BI she is beginning to host Zoom classes for those who aren't local.
Her most viral TikTok shows the dos and donts of walking in heels.
@eleganceny Avoid this common mistake at all times, you should be walking heel to toe (unless you realy can’t physically) #eleganceclass #elegancecoach #howtowalkinheels
♬ original sound - EleganceNY
She said her classes aim to help women feel more confident through tweaks to their movement and posture.
Each class is two hours long, and Kuznetcova's biggest class is of 12 students.
Kuznetcova shared four easy changes to help you appear more confident:
It's all in the eyes
First impressions count, according to Kuznetcova. If you're meeting someone for the first time, either in a romantic setting or for a career opportunity, this starts as soon as you enter a room.
"If the moment we enter, we start looking around from one person to another, it instantly shows that we are not sure," she said.
Her advice is to keep your head as still as possible. This slows your movements down and makes you appear more confident, she said.
When you're in conversation with someone, it's also important to maintain eye contact. If not, it can signal to the other person that you're unsure of yourself, she said.
The rule of three
Kuznetcova has a rule of three when it comes to looking engaged with the person you're speaking to.
"You have to make sure that your head, your torso, and your feet look at this person," she said.
She gave the example of a romantic setting. If your date turns their feet and body away from you, it subconsciously suggests they are looking to leave the conversation, she said.
This is a point she has demonstrated in a recent TikTok video, and when paired with the visuals it's clear to see what she means.
@eleganceny Did you know this?? They often express feelings more genuinely than words. Facial expressions, body language, and gestures can show excitement, frustration, or empathy, often before a word is spoken.
♬ GREEDY X SAY IT RIGHT BY ALTÉGO - ALTÉGO
Shoulders back, chest out
Keeping good posture isn't a new trick, but one Kuznetcova says is important to remember.
A tip she gave is to do a classic yoga "namaste" pose, by bringing your hands together like the praying emoji, but behind your back rather than at your chest.
Kuznetcova said she still does this exercise before entering a room when she needs to look poised.
Commit to it
Kuznetcova said her classes require her students to walk in heels as a tool to help them tune into their feminine energy. She added this means getting to a state of mind where you feel confident from within.
She noticed that what actually happens when her clients wear heels is the opposite — people often slouch their shoulders because they aren't confident about being in them.
"If you put the heels on, own it — you already put them on, you're already on the street, there is no way back. Just commit to it," she said.
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