Sometimes young dancers can struggle with their self image. As a result, they may have trouble accepting it, or they may want to change it.
Dancers spend many hours practicing their dance in front of mirrors, so they need to be careful to keep a healthy perspective on their bodies.
First Some Facts
- Studies show a majority of young girls are unhappy with how they look.
- Studies show up to 95% of people with eating disorders are between ages of 12 to 25.
- Another study states dancers often use the studio mirrors to make comparisons of how they look versus other dancers in the class.
How can you start feeling better about your body? Keep reading…
Take Critique as Helpful
Whether you are aspiring to become a professional dancer or you simply love taking dance classes, you will receive critiques/advice from your dance teachers or instructors.
Don’t feel offended if they offer ideas on improvement, rather, try to use the advice as a way to get better as a dancer.
Ask your teachers if they experienced the same thing as a student, and how they used the advice they received early in their careers. How were they able to better themselves and improve their happiness toward their own physical qualities.
Find a Helpful, Healthy Role Model
Rather than looking to the usual celebrities or athletes as role models, look closer to home to find a healthy, happy person to emulate that you could approach for advice and mentoring.
This could be someone in your life such as a teacher, coach, relative, or friend.
Keep your eyes open. You might be surprised how many great role models are already in your life. They may be willing and eager to help you deal with how you are feeling about yourself and to help you become more confident in who you are and what you look like.
Just Be Yourself
As a dancer, you need to find your strengths — physical, mental, and attitude. Leverage those strengths to be your best.
Let your personality shine through in all you do, and you will be successful in the journey to a healthy self-perspective of who you, both as a dancer and a person.
