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Question: Ballet body issues!?
I'm 14 and I want to be teach ballet when I get older, but I'm wondering if it's even possible with my body!. To teach ballet, you have to know ballet!. To know ballet well, I'd have to have experience!. But I don't think I stand a chance! I have a few issues!. First off, my thighs are too big!. They're like a ball of muscle!. So no matter how much I try to make them smaller, they just get more muscular along with the rest of my legs!. And my overall shape!. I've got a shorter torso so I've got this boy shape going on!. No matter how much I try to exercise I look like a box!. Another issue is my actual build!. My hips and ribs have little space between them so It's like no matter how much I weigh it would still look the same (almost bulky)
What I'm trying to say is that overall, I don't have a ballet build!. I've seen what they look like and I feel really discouraged because I look NOTHING like that!. :( And I know for a fact I never can because it's just my build and body structure!. Any help!? :'(Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Having body issues would only be a problem if you want to be a proffessional dancer!. If you have done exams, have the passion and get good grades on your exams you will be able to teach ballet!. And as for your body, it just sounds like you are a very muscular girl, which is very normal for a ballerina!. I just wouldnt worry about working out so much, all the dancing you do will be heaps, if not more than enough for your body!. What your body is now sounds like your natural build, and the way you are meant to be!. There is no specific "ballet build" every ballerina is different, some tall, some short, some with a bigger upper body and some with a smaller upper body, some have very long legs and some have normal legs, some have bigger breast and some have no breasts, the list coudl go on forever!. So stop comparing your self to others and think about yourself, and how heealthy you feel, and how great you feel when you dance!. If you want to be a teacher, then ask your teacher what she/he thinks you need to do!. Your teacher can give you more information than we can!.
good luck and keep dancing!.
xxWww@QuestionHome@Com

Body shape shouldn't affect your desire to dance!. There really is no "perfect dancer's build"!. Dancing is something you do for you, and you shouldn't care what your body shape is!. Just step into that studio and dance your heart out regardless of how you are shaped or what you weigh!. Always remember to dance like noone is watching!Www@QuestionHome@Com

You can do it! As long as your technique is proper, you can be confident in your ability to teach!.
If you are worried about bulky leg muscles, try pilates!. It does great work at fixing that exact problem!. Kristi Yamaguchi, the ice skater turned dancer, did pilatesWww@QuestionHome@Com

I dance ballet, tap, and jazz!. I will be learning pointe soon!. I weigh alot I am over weight, but I still do dance and Im really good!. It doesnt matter about your build it matters about passionWww@QuestionHome@Com

Don't even think about giving up or discriminating against yourself because of your body type!. I have the same dream as you, and decided to do something about it!. I don't have a ballet body either, and i have larger thighs like you!. I went to my nearest studio and tried out for a class!. I fit well into a class mostly made up of 11 year olds!. After class, I discussed things with the teacher, who told me that over the summer I could excersize the way he showed me a lot to be caught up with dancers my age by the beginning of the school year!. People our age learn a lot faster, so its easier for us to catch up and get in shape, because ballet, even though it doesn' look like it, is a very athletic sport that requires lots of mustle!. Start taking dance and with time your body will build the mustle you need and you'll not only be able to teach ballet but dance it well too!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

If you are properly trained, and capable of passing what you have learned, you can teach ballet!. If you are big and want to try for the major company like ABT or ABC, I would say it's almost impossible to be a principle dancers for them!. Teaching is a great profession, and you should go for it!. I have the best ballet teachers, and they came in all shape and size!. Good teacher doesn't depend on body image - of course, you should be able to do what you teach!. I had a ballet teacher who was 190-200 pounds, but nobody saw her as being that big (it's only now that I thought about it, but she's one of my fav) - just as a wonderful teacher!. Learn the techniques well, and inspire others!. Go for it!Www@QuestionHome@Com