Hello dancers and welcome back to From the Top! Today we are taking a moment away from the informational blog posts and have a little chat. As you all may know, whenever you see “let’s talk about it” in one of our titles, that usually means that we are about to discuss a topic that we feel is necessary to speak on together as dancers in the industry. We’ve covered subjects such as hyperextension, perfectionism mindset and competitiveness in the dance industry. We feel as though all of those things and more are important to put on the table and speak on as you go throughout this dance journey. Today our subject is body image in the dance industry.
If there has been any subject that can really invoke a lot of emotions when it comes to dance, it’s that of body image in terms of build, weight, etc. It has always been believed that to be a dancer means to belong into one particular body mold. This is usually seen as slim, tall with very little body weight and lean muscle. This stems from a rigid belief in the dance industry from societal norms from years back. The main flaw, however, in these beliefs is that they realistically don’t exist.
Societal norms are often challenged because simply put, they don’t make sense. It is absolutely impossible for everyone in the world to share one build. And those who just so happen to have this body type, it doesn’t make a specific activity only exclusive to just them. With a belief such as this, it sounds as though anyone who doesn’t have this body type is wrong to even have the desire to dance because “it isn’t made for them”. What I am happy for, however, is that this belief is being challenged more in our world today. The honest truth is that what is seen at face value as favoritism towards one demographic over another is actually a mask to disguise the true reality, which is that those who even fall under the favorable demographic are being targeted with immense pressure as well.
This is the primary cause for so many bodily health issues in the dance industry, because not only is perfection pushed in technique, it’s pushed in physicality as well. The honest truth is that not only is a dancer’s technique and the betterment thereof a part of a dancer’s personal journey and subjected to their own pace of improvement, but the perfection of a dancer’s body is also no one’s business. However, this has usually been a eureka moment that is encountered after the fact. After you’ve pushed your plate away to lose more weight, after you’ve worked out 5 days a week to build more lean muscle, after you’ve given up on the hopes of starting your dance journey in fear of judgment. I myself had a moment where I believed my body wasn’t good enough to be here. Growing I wasnaturally slim and had the classic “dancer’s body”. However, a little thing called puberty came in and started taking some of that society viewed “perfection” away from. In short, I started to gain (very healthy) weight. But did I see this as a normal move of nature? Absolutely not.
I had a huge audition coming up around this same time and I began to panic. Everything I had been for so long was slipping through my fingers and I had no idea what to do about it. So I turned to the internet and what did the internet show me? A bunch of schemes to lose weight and lose it fast. Most of these methods included working out more and eating less, which unfortunately, is exactly what I commenced to do. As I drastically switched my eating habits and lifestyle, I looked at other dancers for body inspo, determined to look like them. No matter what I tried, it didn’t work. By the time my audition came along, I was physically fatigued and very underweight. What made the light bulb go off in my head one day, however, was something very common yet very groundbreaking. I was hungry. And I mean really hungry. I couldn’t pass it off as anything else. I truly just needed to eat and my body was signaling that it couldn’t go on like this much longer.
That one moment flipped a switch in my head. I’m a dancer and I’d like to believe I’m a pretty good one at that. If my talent isn’t appealing to someone because I’m a little hippy, then so be it. I’m not going to drastically change myself for the approval of man and I’m also not going to give up my desire to be in this industry because of my body. Long story short, I stayed true to myself and in the midst of every no, I found a yes. Now I’ve found my place in this industry and one of them is having the ability to go on this journey with each and every one of you.
We have said it once and we will say it forever more: dance is for EVERYONE! As the world changes, dancers today have pushed for the industry to change with it and what a beautiful change it has been to witness. So many dancers of different backgrounds and body types have stepped out to start their journey, all while taking the world by storm in the process! As time continues to move forward, let’s continue to do our part in pushing the narrative of inclusiveness in the world of dance. If you are reading this and you’re afraid to take the first step, we encourage you with so much urgency to please do so! Dance is such a beautiful art form and one that brings so much happiness to the lives of so many. There is a place for you here and your From the Top Family is behind you 110%. So grab your dance bag, take ahold your dreams, lift your head up high and remember…
Keep dancing!
Lexi
FROM THE TOP! 