Developing a Healthy Body Image When You Don't Have the "Ballet Body" with Kathryn Morgan

[@mayakor-t4y]

First! Jokes aside -> This came right on time! I recently startet to work on my relationship with my body, it's hard but so worthy. Thank you for some reminders

[@TheConfidentDancer]

I'm so glad!! Anytime, I hope this video really helped 💕

[@CorinnePina]

Thank you for this. I was told at 14 that I was too fat to do pointe. I was 5’5” and 105 pounds. After that I fell into a whole anorexia episode for about 20 years and I’m still struggling. I came across the Vaganova and Bolshoi ballet weight charts and was shocked. I would be at least 10 pounds overweight. Ok, I’m 50 now and just came back to ballet after a 15-year break simply to enjoy it. I love Kathryn’s KZbin classes.

[@TheWholeDancer]

What a damaging comment, I'm so sorry for what you went through but I'm so glad you made it back after your struggle.

[@CorinnePina]

@@TheWholeDancer Thank you!

[@biancahagenberg7471]

I'm not dancing. I'm the one buying tickets. So, where should I buy tickets? I do not want to give my money to companies that are messing with their dancers in such a toxic way. Unfortunately, most companies seem to be doing just that. I would love to find out. I would even more love to find a way to let companies know that there are many people out there who have no interest at all watching only stick thin people dancing on stage. Can we start a movement please? Great video, Kirsten!

[@PthaloGreen2]

I'm not sure this is realistic. Being a professional dancer is extremely competitive. It's not a democracy. Not everyone can handle it. That's painful, but it's really. Not all of us can be stars, and that's okay!

[@belkyhernandez8281]

That's exactly how I feel about it. I will never be a professional dancer and never wanted to be. But I love to watch dancers and dance for myself. I don't want to give money to organizations which mistreat their employees.

[@JustMe-qr9jj]

Excellent timing, my daughter just received a rejection because of her weight. She had attended their SI last year, was asked to stay year-round and was also encouraged to audition for a trainee spot this year. She was filmed during an actual current trainee class, not sure if that had anything to do with it but yea, here is how the email read... I will be emailing you an acceptance to the summer intensive program with the opportunity to be selected for the Trainee Program at the conclusion of SI. You are placed in B course with other students your age who are also hoping to be trainees. I would like to be candid with you as to why I cannot give you a Traineeship at this time. Based on your audition, the faculty and I are concerned about your weight going forward into the trainee program. There is an accepted aesthetic in ballet to perform on stage. You have gained weight since we worked with you last summer and it is our concern that if you continue in this manner, we would not be able to cast you to perform on stage with the company next season. Please understand that it is our tradition to never accept students into the trainee program at auditions who are either overweight or underweight. Our current Trainees are fit and healthy and were all able to be cast in The Nutcracker and Romeo and Juliet. You are a good dancer, ..., and a talented student. I hope that you will work on a healthy lifestyle and attend the summer intensive with the goal of becoming a ...Trainee. She hasn't gained weight and is now spiraling into a dark place filled with doubts and insecurities. Thething that makes me the most angry is that these ballet companies act like they are SO woke on social media but in reality, it's the same dark ballet world. I grew up in the 80's watching girls drop dead from eating disorders and refuse to keep silent about this issue. This also goes for height, skin color, all of it. I will encourage my daughter to contact you!

[@CorinnePina]

I would talk to her doctor and send them proof that she didn’t gain weight and is healthy and fit. Maybe her body slightly changed due to puberty ? I think this is plan discrimination . I feel sorry for your daughter . I hope she focused on her artistry . Good luck to both of you. Stay strong! 🩰😍❤️🩰

[@TheWholeDancer]

This message is heartbreaking but it's exactly why dancers need support people. It is so hard to find a balanced approach to food and your body in dance ESPECIALLY after getting feedback like this.

[@JustMe-qr9jj]

@@CorinnePina Thank you, that's actually a good idea. She is 16, 5' 5 and a size 6 but she's not a tiny thing. She is a bit curvy compared to the kind of prepubescent look so many ballets like. She thinks it is discrimination too. I suppose for me being older and growing up in a seriously much darker ballet world, it's typical. I honestly think it was something to do with the video they took of her, I requested a copy but I'm sure they will not agree. An administrator took the video because the trainee woman couldn't be there.

[@PthaloGreen2]

Having struggled with anorexia as a teen, and then regained weight later, when I worked on camera in television and was told to lose weight, I can only say that "they" always need a reason to reject people. More people will always want performance jobs than there are openings. This isn't a justice matter. It's just reality. Any role where you are judged on appearance requires mental toughness. Even though she's young, I would consider getting her some psychotherapy. Her mindset could send her spiraling into a major depression and that would be really bad. Very, very few people are able to earn a living as dancers or entertainers of any kind, regardless of weight or beauty. I hope she realizes that there are many options out there. Being skinny is not the be and end all of the world. I recently started taking tap-dancing and ballet again at age 61. I so wish I had the perspective when I was younger that I do now. We are all here for just a little while. The most important thing is not being a star, but bringing joy and support to others. If that can become her focus as a teen, she might be in a better place for a lifetime.

[@brendastevens9077]

You Two are Sooo Lovely. I could feel Kathryn's heart, with the pain she has been through. She has helped me immensely. I so much appreciate what your doing for dancers on your channel. The Coaching is Awesome.😊

[@TheWholeDancer]

Loved this video!! Thank you for the shoutout, Kirsten and Katie. xoxo

[@clary7661]

This was so good! Thank you for this video. I really appreciate that neither of you put down others to advocate for your own paths. When you said that not all of us can be Marianelas and success isn't defined by that one path, I love that you added 'because that would diminish HER role in the world, and yours, and mine'. Completely true. 💖

[@rebeccanewman8391]

It’s like you read my mind about what videos come out!! I needed this.

[@claramessner358]

Oh my goodness. I haven’t even watched all this but I am so thankful you made it!! Thank you for all you do!

[@gillescott4412]

Thank you both so much for this

[@judithricca6915]

Thank you both.

[@miab9399]

This video was SO good and is going to help so many dancers

[@TheALLYISLAME]

love u both ❤️ thank u for sharing your experiences

[@nataliedalessio]

thanks for this!

[@peachiethecat]

What are some other ways to have a career in ballet besides a professional career/getting a contract with a company?

[@PthaloGreen2]

Teaching. Working as a fund raiser or administrator for a dance or theater company. Start a dance studio targeting at risk kids. Work for a dance clothing or equipment manufacturer. Just a few ideas! We cannot all be stars. That's good!

[@sylviekarow3828]

♥️♥️♥️

[@belkyhernandez8281]

No offense but listening to many dancers it seems you have been convinced to accept abuse as normal. Being treated the way you are treated by people in decision making positions in any other profession would be seen as outrageous.

[@brendadufaur37]

Weight issues in general and in ballet are complex and one has to be careful what you tell someone about their weight so as not to set off anorexia etc, but there has to be balance. It should not have to be a complex sin to want to lose 10 lbs. for a performance or want to slim down to be more healthy.