Hello
there!
How was
your day so far? I did my first class after two weeks off and... I
was actually surprised! I could go through the class better than I
expected and I could even put my pointe shoes on and try out some
combinations without falling down to the floor!
Anyway,
for today’s topic I want to address one of the more serious
subjects about ballet. On this health and support section I open up
from today I want you to interact so don’t be scared to share your
own opinion on today’s particular subject in the comments below and
on my social media.
Today I
want to talk about one of the ways we might feel more pressured as
dancers: ourselves.
Drawing by Clara Lieu
Dancing
is a very demanding job that ask our bodies to be pushed to extreme
limits in all ways. We «must have» certain body shapes and features
that fit the «correct and classic» standards. We must be stronger
than anyone else mentally and we must never be tired because it makes
us weak recognizing that we need a break.
We want
to believe that it’s a myth and that those old days were dancers
were doing crazy stuff to go through the week are gone but I must say
that still now it’s a reality.
The
thing is that this behavior is promoted from an early age and from
focusing the wrong way the ballet career. In schools we experience
this «pyramid of stars» situation sometime during our education and
we want to believe that reality shows like the all-time famous Dance
Mom’s is all pure show business. Although it might be presented in
a very different way, we can appreciate it in today’s ballet
studios.
As a
teacher, it’s a hard step into a class and let your personal taste
outside in order to give your full attention to each and everyone of
your students but sometimes this mistake is committed during the full
school year and can create insecurity, sadness and self-deprivation
to the student that’s not as promoted as others in its classroom.
This
creates an unhealthy relationship within itself and can be carried
through all school years, audition times and even professional life.
It blocks possibilities and it can make someone not feeling capable
of being promoted at any time in his/her career.
It’s
one reason but of course not the only one. Not having a supportive
environment at home, regular school or in a friend’s group can also
damage a lot a student’s future.
But
that’s not the only thing that can bring ourselves down. Standards
in some places are still very old-fashioned and set parameters far
off what society brings today. Art has evolved in general but in
classical ballet we see that some have gotten stuck on body types
from the 60’s and ask people to do circus on stage instead of
showing their soul and emotion an audience.
This
«tricks» generation is also brought by today’s education in
general. Kids in general are taught that art, history and languages
are not key subjects for adult life and instead they promote science,
maths and economical related subjects because that’s what modern
life is all about, apparently. This brings insecurity to everyone
that wants to pursue a career and the rule of the strongest remains
above all other parameters when in search of a good university
position or a job.
They
teach us to be the best by pushing ourselves to all possible limits
and even when you reach them, you still need to push even more. We
don’t realize when it’s the time to say STOP.
Drawing by Agnes Cecile
This is
a very general talk about something that comes from a historic change
in history that transformed life and society's organization and
politics. Everything is connected and one decision interferes in all
aspects of life, in all cases.
We
should re-think on how to treat ourselves, respect ourselves and most
importantly, love ourselves. Because once you get that, you can start
demanding changes, creating new things and improve situations that
affect your life and the life of your loved ones.
I know
I brought it up to a more general discussion but in the next
thoughtful post, I’ll get more specific and explain a more personal
experience.
I
really hope you enjoyed it and as I said, don’t hesitate to tell me
what you think about it!
I wish
you have a lovely evening and I’ll see you soon!
Love,
Muriel
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