Ask Misty Green by Misty Green

Misty Green

I am trying to get things lined up for my 2nd show.  I learned so much from the 1st one but I am still feeling somewhat overwhelmed and I know there are many more things I need to know. I didn’t want to write in asking 20 questions so here is the one I feel is the most important at this time.  How do I learn the correct posing technique? I was horrified at pictures I had seen of myself onstage. My posing was way off and looked nothing like the posing I have seen from contest pictures of other girls. Also, I have noticed that some girls are trying to pose differently, with their own style of posing. Is this a good idea to help me set myself apart or should I stick to what everyone else is doing. And I forgot to mention, I am competing in the npc.
Leslie, Connecticut

Misty Green

This is a great question and I have gotten quite a few emails over the past couple of months about posing. The fist thing I can suggest is, knowing what the local and national npc guidelines are for posing (www.npcnewsonline.com).  For the most part, it is pretty straight forward. Most local shows will have the girls come out for individual/model turns (model side, back and model side) first and then bring you out for your quarter turns (front, side, back, side and front).  At the national level they will usually bring you out in groups of 10 for quarter turns and then you come out for individuals/model turns.  One thing you can do is print out photos of your favorite pro competitor’s in their various posing positions and post them near a mirror and try to mimic how they pose. I also think it a great idea if you can get your hands on some local or national videos for reference. This way you’re not just guessing how things might go and you will know what to expect at different shows.  Most trainers that are helping you prepare for your show should also be able to help you with your posing.  Tanji Johnson has a great posing clinic that she holds in various places at different times of the year.  If you can’t make it to one of hers, there are other posing clinics offered by various pro competitors that you can attend that will

Misty Green

help you with the whole process.  If you can’t make it to a clinic, there are a few references below that you can check out for correct posing techniques.  As for posing with a unique style, you can always add your own flare once you have the basics under control. I don’t know if I would particularly suggest trying to be to outrageous, there is only so much you can do with quarter turns and you don’t necessarily want to stand out for the wrong reasons and cause yourself to place lower. I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck. Remember, stay motivated with what you want to achieve for yourself and have fun doing it!

Here are some links for posing videos:
www.tanjijohnson.com
www.monicabrant.com
www.mikedavies.com
www.amypeters.net
www.perfectmuscle.com

Here are some links for national videos:
www.repetrope.com

2006 Olympia

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