Ballet Exercises - Bigger than the other kids

by Danielle Hoyle
(Atlanta,Ga u.s.a )

Ballet Exercises - Bigger than the other kids

Hi I am Danielle. I have been dancing a while and have found my way to junior company now. But I am the youngest at 12 years old. The problem is that I look so much bigger then most of the others. They are the short super skinny strong eat any thing I want kind of people. I am not. I weigh at least 20 pounds more then them and I look at how my body is like the whole class. I think now it is effecting my dancing. My doctor says when I go through puperty my body will lethen and form a nice dancers body. But how will I cope with it now and let it not effect me as a person.

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Reply by Odette
To:- Ballet Exercises - Bigger than the other kids

Hello Danielle,

Thank you for contacting me, it is a pleasure to hear from you. Are you really sure you are way bigger than most of others? It is normal to be more critical of your own self and your own body, especially as dancers. Sometimes it is too easy to fault ourselves and admire others.

I am sure most people in your class have doubts about their body too, they may even be feeling just the same as you.

Firstly, try to not compare yourself to the others. This is in my precious Seven Secrets ..... on the 'Seven Secrets of Ballet' page, but I am reminding you again because it is key to accepting who you are.

Each of our bodies are different, in muscle and in structure, so you must focus on yourself and not get tied down with looking too much at everyone else. This will only make yourself more conscious when actually you must embrace who you are and the facility you have.

If you feel it is affecting you dancing and YOU want to change, then have a think of what you can do about it. Can you work harder in class? Can you work more physically in your muscles? Can you do any extra exercise?

A nice dancer's body does not come in a miracle, it takes a lot of hard work and training to produce such a specific body type. You are still very young, so I would not let it worry you too much. You have to really try to not let this effect you as a person, as it will only bring your whole spirit down.

Keep positive in your mind and knock away any self criticism. Even if it is only the smallest negative thought on your body, replace it with a positive thought and know there is always a solution.

Best wishes,
Odette

ps. To become the best dancer you can be, learn the Seven Secrets ..... go to my 'Seven Secrets of Ballet' page