When you think of a ballerina, what comes to mind? Do you think the thinner the

Question:

When you think of a ballerina, what comes to mind? Do you think the thinner the dancer, the better?

*More specifically, do you assume that the majority of dancers/ballerinas have eating disorders?

*Do you think their art is more enjoyable if they as a dancer are at their thinnest?

*What physical characteristics set modern dancers apart from ballet dancers to you?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: 1. When I think of a ballerina, I think of a ballerina. Obvious beautiful girl wearing a tutu and doing a pas de deux.
2. I do not think the thinner the dancer the better, I was a dancer (tap, jazz, ballet) for 14 years and I don't think I would be able to keep my strength up at all if I was extremely thin. I was also a competitive figure skater at the time as well, so I needed to always make sure I was eating properly and kept up my strength
3. I would like to NOT assume that the majority of dancers have eating disorders because I can't imagine how they could keep up their strength. I cringe when I see a very skinny dancer go up on pointe, it almost looks like her legs might snap in half
4. Again, saying that I cringe when they are at their thinnest obviously means that I do not think dancing is more enjoyable when the girls are extremely thin. I think it is important to look physically healthy, but definitely NOT looking like they have an eating disorder
5. I wouldn't say i've ever really noticed a lot of physical characteristics between modern and ballet dancers. But I guess if I would have to pinpoint something specific I would say that they possibly have more leg muscle than ballet dancers... But like I said not too much difference