Easting Disorder in Ballet | Eating Issues | The Dark Side Of Ballet Schools BBC Documentary

I have previously talked about body image. In this video, I share some of my thoughts and experiences about ballet dancers' disordered eating. It is a very complex issue, and the views I express in this video are solely my personal opinion and experience. Everyone is unique, and we all deal with difficulties differently.
There is so much more to say on this subject, and I don't wish to negate anyone's experiences.
Looking back, I wish I had the understanding and tools that I possess today when I was a student and young dancer. However, I feel fortunate that today, as a hypnotherapist, I can offer support to those who are struggling. If this video resonates with you or you need someone to talk to, please feel free to contact me at holisticballet.com/hypnotherapy-for-dancers
PS: When I say I was not eating, I mean, I ate as little as possible.
00:00:00:00 - 00:01:06:20 Ex-dancers describe body-shaming at top ballet schools
00:01:06:24 - 00:04:44:11 reasons for disordered eating
00:04:44:15 - 00:06:56:05 my own eating disorder
00:06:56:08 - 00:08:23:22 fasting - no!
00:08:22:24 - 00:08:45:03 food's purpose
00:08:45:06 - 00:09:05:13 seeking help
00:09:05:14 - 00:09:45:20 help through hypnotherapy
#holisticballet #eating #eatingdisorders

[@jessaglenny]

I think another issue is generational trauma. We can educate ballet teachers about how to work with students and dancers in a sensitive and positive way, but if a teacher hasn't resolved their own disordered relationship with their body, it's going to be very hard for them to implement any of this education in a thorough-going way.

[@HolisticBallet]

I completely agree. No theoretical knowledge is of use when the underlying emotions are not resolved. Thank you for your comment!

[@CedricsMom]

Yes, the artform attracts a certain personality type. I think that's a big part of it.

[@hannah_stevens]

Very relevant especially at the moment with it being on the news in the uk. It’s so important that this is talked about

[@HolisticBallet]

Thank you for your comment. And there would be so much more to say than one can in a video.

[@xxxczw]

Thank you so much for sharing 🙏🏻💕🌻 And how refreshing to see all the insightful and well-balanced comments 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻❣️

[@lesleymain6254]

You've hit the nail on the head, it's all about control. A very frank, honest and perceptive discussion which should be read by all ballet students as "preventative medicine"

[@HolisticBallet]

Thank you for your comment. I believe there is more discussion and support around this issue in many schools today, yet the problem persists.

[@furzebird]

Thank you for your honesty and helpful sharing.

[@xiaochuwu7163]

thank you so much for sharing it.

[@nesskwan]

You are absolutely right! The teachers were very harsh in my generation 90-2000z My teacher wanted me to dance professionally so she kept warning me against getting ‘fat’ around puberty. I dropped out in the end up and never got eating disorder 😂

[@HolisticBallet]

I am happy to hear that you made the right choice for you.

[@kH-bv8ix]

Thanks for sharing. I did not know about the body shaming. I was so naive. When i was told to go in center for a body check, shaming me backfired because i made the instructor and all 80 students laugh. As i look back in the 80s, i think i did all the girls a favor to laugh and be comfortable with themselves. The school was very competitive. Because of your video, I am going to be purposeful about the young dancers developing healthy perpectives. I am so grateful for your candidness.

[@HolisticBallet]

Thank you for your comment. I applaud you for standing up for yourself and the other girls. Are you still involved with ballet?

[@kH-bv8ix]

@@HolisticBallet yes, I am. I hope to go back on pointe this year. Today, I help out with children. I do some dancing in the performances. And I am now helping an elderly woman who recovered from a broken pelvis to get dance therapy to regain core strength. The director of the studio has 25 years experience movement therapy for any age, any injury(after Dr clearance). From ballet dancers to elderly go to her. It's how I met the director. 😊

[@HolisticBallet]

@@kH-bv8ix that's beautiful, thanks for sharing! And best wishes for your return to pointe work.

[@balletomanehk]

Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your own experience with disordered eating. It's so true that ballet attracts certain types of personalities, especially those who have perfectionistic traits. It's so important to make known the psychological underpinnings of eating disorders among ballet dancers, so that the issue will have a chance to be properly addressed. Like @jessaglenny said, it is a generational issue. I think that individual dancers and dance students may deal with trauma passed down by their own families, while at the same time getting a toxic dose of trauma passed down by their dance teachers and other authoritative figures in the dance world. It is a major challenge to break the old patterns. But awareness is the first step, and I commend you for your courage to speak up and to reveal the intimate experience you have gone through.

[@HolisticBallet]

thanks for your comment and insights. It's also very interesting how eating disorders are so widely spread in our cultures.

[@Yeknodathon]

Thanks for sharing. I read the BBC report with some horror and disappointment- though of course we probably don't get the full picture. Ballet does seem to have a dark side for all of its pursuit of beauty.

[@HolisticBallet]

As with anything extreme, in a world of its own, different rules apply, and perspectives and perceptions are different. Ballet, in the end, is all about illusion.