The desire to wear high heels is in our genes. Or so thinks Chyna, a former Eric Clapton backing singer turned vertiginous footwear guru. I want to learn to walk convincingly in high heels, and Chyna, a Grace Jones look-alike in towering Perspex stripper shoes, is going to teach me.

In a weekly class lasting three hours, Chyna instructs stiletto-wearing virgins and amateurs alike how to wear high heels with “more confidence, ease and elegance”. The key, it soon transpires, is good posture. Following Alexander technique – an alternative therapy that improves co-ordination and poise – Chyna uses gentle hand movements to guide my lazy shoulders, spine and arms into their correct, upright position. After half an hour, I'm 2in taller. And I haven't even put my heels on yet.

As soon as I do slip on my plum-coloured courts, the fun really begins. Chyna's class is as much about “go-girl” confidence-boosting as it is about not falling flat on your face. Employing my stand-up-straight, shoulders-back posture, I walk from one corner of the room to the other under the scrutiny of my teacher. Chyna recommends placing the ball of the foot down first, followed by the heel (harder than it sounds), and pointing the toes outward, like a ballet dancer.