“My feet aren’t pointy enough. My legs aren’t sway backy enough. My head is too big (yes this is a thing in ballet). I don’t have enough turn out. I’m not flexible enough. My arabesque isn’t high enough. I can’t do enough pirouettes. I can’t jump high enough”.
These are just a few of the thoughts that swirl around in a dancers head.
So of course ‘body image’ is a huge issue in dance.
I was told that I had a difficult body.
My body wasn’t built to be able to execute steps with finesse at first. I had to work really hard to gain ‘lines’ and ‘shapes’ that other dancers had naturally. I think this is what has made me a great teacher. Yes, I am confident as a teacher. I had to learn every trick, every adjustment, every nuance to achieve what others had. So give me a student who struggles? I will give them every tool they need to achieve what others can.
Corrections (adjustments) are vital to a dancer. They help gain the correct technique needed to safely execute moves without getting injured. However, there is an inner dialogue that starts very young. ‘My body is wrong.’
I think maybe, if we called corrections ‘adjustments’…would that help?
How do we help young students enjoy the process of gaining technique, without gaining body issues?
With Positive reinforcement, tone of voice, encouragement? We must teach young dancers, that failure is WONDERFUL. I quote Thomas Edison often:
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
I certainly don’t have all the answers…but I am constantly searching for them…and will do as long as I teach. I do know, that children do what they see, more than what they hear. So when I talk about my own body, I try to be positive…”I love my feet! They helps me walk and run. Ah, ‘leg’ Hello ‘leg’ you are powerful and leggy like, you can help me sit down! ‘Back, Hello back! Thanks for being a back…all backy and stuff”.
It’s a little bonkers….but thanking my body during class….helps the kids thank theirs I hope.
'Curioser and Curioser' {Alice} 