This might seem hard to believe for some readers of my blogs, given my topics of choice, but I am actually a pretty good ballet dancer. I currently teach ballet, and am also discovering I'm a good choreographer.
Just now as I was stretching out my sides, looking down at the floor, I made notice of my turnout. When I'm in first position, I'm impressed with my turnout, but when I go into fifth position, it doesn't look as closed as I think it should; especially given that I have a well over a 90 degree turnout.
It made me think of a routine I recorded the other week. I was on a diagonal, and I wished my fifth position looked more professional. But then I stopped my negative thinking.
1) Ballet is not about turnout!
Even professional dancers do not have a "perfect" 180 degree turnout, and anyone who comes close gets their dance career cut short with bad arthritis in the knees.
It is these disgusting "facts" that we create to make others think only the "elite" can dance, and I can assure anyone, this is bullshit!
2) Another disgrace to ballet is the anorexic thin body-type requested of a dancer. But look at Anna Pavlova. Considered to be one of the greatest dancers of the early twentieth century, she was far from being a hundred and five pounds.
Our dance world is arguably run by the same women-haters that run Hollywood and the fashion industry, and it is a lie.
I have talked with ex-dancers who have been in companies, such as the National, and have learnt that the girls smoke and even do coke - amongst the usual eating disorders, which includes taking laxatives - to obtain a figure that is nearly impossible. Ask yourself, and answer honestly, would you rather be a sick "acceptable" ballerina, who is always obtaining injuries and constantly in and out of physio (which is expensive), or would you rather be healthy and happy, and let that reflect in your dance?
I have struggled with my body, but I am starting to accept that is fluctuates frequently, and I have learnt to work with it. Anyone who judges us, or thinks we aren't real dancers because we're sporting some extra weight in our backsides and chest can seriously keep their bigotry to themselves. I'm also a firm believer that women's bodies should never be up for discussion - especially in the work place, and even if it's a compliment.
I have struggled with my body, but I am starting to accept that is fluctuates frequently, and I have learnt to work with it. Anyone who judges us, or thinks we aren't real dancers because we're sporting some extra weight in our backsides and chest can seriously keep their bigotry to themselves. I'm also a firm believer that women's bodies should never be up for discussion - especially in the work place, and even if it's a compliment.
3) Ballet is for anyone who is willing. For me, it is not the ballet itself that is intimidating, but rather the music. Dance does not exist without music, and yet I hear professional singers, and see professional dancers with little musicality. It's quite amazing really, and for me only further demonstrates the corruption and nepotism in the industry.
In order to feel more confident as a dancer, I recommend music lessons, either in ear training or playing an instrument. It makes a world of difference in performance, hones the ability to "feel" where one is physically situated (a must in dance), and best of all, improves self-confidence, which for me, is the key to the door.
As dancers, we must believe in ourselves, because unless we have an exceptional coach, no one else will.
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