Body Image

We all have a relationship with our bodies. For some, it’s neutral or even positive. For others, it’s a daily battle of feeling unhappy with their bodies. As dancers, it’s easy to look in the mirror and become our own worst critics, judging the image we see. Body image struggles are real — deep and personal.

People often say, “Just love yourself” or “Ignore it.” While that’s good advice, it’s not always that simple. Body image speaks louder than many realize. It’s not just a thought — it’s being hyper-aware of every tiny detail about our bodies that no one else even notices. These thoughts are hard to shake.

But what if, instead of trying to get rid of those thoughts, we learned to use them? What if we could transform them into something positive?

The way we focus on everything we dislike about our bodies — that hyper-awareness — can damage how we see ourselves. But what if we redirected that hyper-awareness away from negative thoughts, and toward the freedom and joy we feel when we dance? For example, notice how alive we feel during a turn, how strong our legs are when we push into a leap, and how we lose ourselves in the music.

Hyper-awareness doesn’t have to make us shrink away; it can be about truly listening to our bodies.