How people go from a natural stride to downright awkwardness.

Walking is one of the most natural movements for humans. Most of us start walking by the age of 2, keep going for the rest of our lives and never think about it. It just comes naturally to us, and we put one foot in front of the other.

If you look a 4-year-old walking around, they usually look effortless in the way they move. That's because they haven't learned yet to bring the weight of the world onto their shoulders, to adjust themselves to look cool, etc. As we get older, we start moving the way we think we should move, as opposed to the natural way our bodies want to move. So much of my time in instructing walkers is to get them to realize how they are moving so that they can make adjustments to move more freely.

Especially when people start walking for exercise, they start doing crazy movements because they heard something someplace from someone that you should try to do this or that. What this usually creates is what I call "the Robot Walker." This is someone moving in such a contorted fashion that it's uncomfortable to walk, and people seem to look at them for a few seconds longer than they would otherwise.

You know that you're a Robot Walker when...

People keep moving out of your way because your elbows are clearing a path for two feet on either side of you.

You keep hitting yourself in the chin with your hands.

You hit the ground so hard with your feet it seems as if Godzilla is terrorizing Tokyo again.

Your shoulders are above your ears.

People ask you how you can stay standing up because it looks like you're going to fall over to one side.

Your chin has disappeared into your chest and you've recreated the role of the Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Start watching people walk, and you'll notice more ways that people are stiff. Then, ask your friends if you're a Robot Walker, because you can't tell yourself (no, I'm fine!). Remember to relax and try to imagine you're 4-years-old again, and go out and play!

Ken Mattsson, M.S., has written and lectured in the personal development field since 1990. In addition to his work as a walking coach and instructor for organizations such as the Cambridge Sports Union, Cambridge Center for Adult Education, and the Leukemia-Lymphoma Society, he also helps people reach their professional goals as a career development consultant with Resonare Consulting (http://www.resonare.com) in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

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