This Is What Your Dancers Are Thinking Right Now

“I’m so fat.”

“Ugh you’re so disgusting.”

“You always mess up.”

These are the things your dancers are probably saying to themselves. I know I did.

My inner critic was so mean and loud, not only in dance class, but in school, at home, and especially when I was alone with my thoughts.

Most dancers have harsh inner critics; if I had to guess, I’d say you probably have one too. That negative inner voice tends to develop quickly, and at an early age for many dancers and athletes - your students included.

Despite some awareness and effort to change, the dance industry continues to be rife with damaging and unhealthy practices, traditions and habits, especially around body image.

So how do we help? How do we spare our students’ the pain so many of us endured around body image and self criticism?

The answer is a complex one, and this is a big topic, often a sensitive and triggering one, that can feel overwhelming. It can be hard to know where, and how to start.

Your priority is teaching dance and creating dancers who are healthy, happy, resilient and confident.

My passion is giving you the tools to do just that.

That’s why I’ve created all these resources, and why my Body Kind Valentine Guide is a great way to introduce Body Kindness to your students.

This guide includes a done for you plan that covers 5 days of Body Kindness activities, exercises and games for all age groups, like:

• Muscle Testing

• Choreography Card Prompts

• Affirmation Valentine Cards

• Mindset Worksheets

Even though the guide is centered around Valentine’s Day, many of the materials can be re-used at any time of the year, and there’s also options to use all the activities virtually.

Please, don’t put off this work. Don’t think that your responsibility to your dancers starts and stops with plies. You can make a difference for your dancers. Together, we can raise a new generation of dancers that don’t hate and abuse their bodies and minds, but one that is healthy, happy, and confident.

But we do have to start, and we should do it sooner rather than later. Check out the Body Kind Valentine Guide here, and drop any questions (or further resources you’ve used and like) in the comments below!