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Tips to Promoting Body Positivity in Dancers

05/16/2018

When it comes to the dance world, it can be notoriously hard to maintain a positive self-image of your body. Many dancers are made to feel like they don't have the right body type or look like a "real" dancer because their dance pants are higher than a size 0. What's worse is that it's not all in their heads. Some instructors and choreographers promote it by encouraging healthy dancers to diet and lose weight in order to look a certain way.

That "way" is typically the image of the classical ballerina who is tall and whip thin. For many, it seems like if you want to go anywhere in the dance industry, then you have to meet this important bodily prerequisite. 

But in today's dance world, there are so many more styles than just classical ballet. And when it comes to dance types like jazz and hip hop, bigger can sometimes be better. In the end, though, it's really about being healthy and true to who you are, whether you fit the classical ballet mold or don't.

So whether you're a dance teacher or a dancer, here are some tips to help you promote body positivity throughout your dance community.

Appreciate your body.

The human body and all it can do is pretty amazing. But if you're so focused on the size of your thighs or if your stomach is flat, that can be hard to see. Rather than looking at all your imperfections, focus instead on what your body is capable of; the high jumps, long leaps and big kicks. These should be celebrated and appreciated.

Make a list of things you like about yourself.

This can sound kind of cheesy, but in reality, doing so will help you focus on all the positives of not only your body, but yourself. So get beyond what your ankles and arms look like, and instead focus on your great smile, sharp wit or sense of compassion. You likely have so many more positive qualities than negative. And if you're only focusing on what you don't like -- rather than on the many gifts and talents you have -- then you're doing yourself a disservice.

Remember, true beauty is a state of mind.

If you are confident and have a positive attitude, you're going to look and feel better, inside and out. That's why it's so important to remember that beauty is not just skin deep. What you have inside of you -- the joy, the sense of humor, the kindness -- will reflect to the outside, even if you don't have a model thin body type. 

Find your friends.

When you are surrounded by people who are critical, or also focusing only on outward beauty, then it's easy to lose sight of what's important. Instead, surround yourself with positive people who appreciate your gifts and enjoy you for who you are, rather than what you look like. When you have a strong support group of healthy friends, it's much easier to stay in the right mind.

Wear dance clothes and dance pants that make you feel comfortable.

You don't have to fit into the perfect mold of a ballerina. That includes not only with how you look, but also what you wear. If you want those funky hip hop shoes or those sequin dance pants, then go for it. You should wear apparel that makes you feel good about your body and helps you accentuate the positive.

Filter out the negative.

So much negative in terms of body image comes from social media and advertising messages. That's why it's so important to not only be aware of this, but also make an effort to filter what you're reading, seeing and listening to. A lot of what is out there these days can do damage to how you see yourself. That's why sometimes it's best to just put your phone or tablet down and instead, be in the moment with your friends and family.

Be healthy.

Body positivity isn't just about accepting what you've got. If you feel like you could lose a few pounds or know your body isn't at its healthiest, then strive to make a change. Add more fruits and vegetables to your diet. Hit the gym more often and try to snack on junk food less. Even small changes can make a big impact not only on how you look, but also on how you feel.

That said, don't take it too far. No matter what anyone says to you, you should never be starving yourself or at the gym trying to burn off calories for several hours each day.

Focus on others.

Sometimes, we're just too focused on ourselves. But when you get your mind off of all your flaws and weaknesses, and instead focus on those around you, it has a way of making you feel good. So consider doing something to help out a fellow dancer, or try to volunteer once a week or once a month in order to give back and support someone in need. You'll quickly notice that the more you take your mind off of yourself, the happier you become.