Disorders

Yesterday we had a student from Brescia University come in to talk about eating disorders. Anorexia and Bulimia are very common in dancers. We always strive to look perfect on the dance floor especially in ballet. The stereotypical ballerina is very tiny looking practically like bones, but also very elegant. Its hard when dancers see that image on the big stages in New York and Boston and always want to strive to be just like them. I know at times I may go down a path I shouldn't be because of dance but I always try my best not to. The pressure to be "skinny" is insane especially during your teen years. One of the things the lady told us to do was to write "your beautiful" on your mirror so every time you wake up in the morning you feel a little better about yourself. It may sound stupid, but for some they have to do that to keep them eating and healthy. I know I would rather be dancing 5 hours a day and eating than starving myself and ending up in a hospital with a feeding tube. Remember, no body is perfect and we all have our imperfections we just have to learn how to rise above them!