Do "fat" girls get to Ballroom Dance??? [Archive]

Oaktown Dancer

03-28-2004, 12:55 PM

I am new so bear with me.

I have been walking two hours a day in an effort to nurture my already very good health. I have also been walking so that I can get thinner BEFORE I embark upon dance lessons, dance partners and before I cry because I can not fit into one of those beautiful size 2-8 dance dresses that I envision wearing at my dance competitions...somewhere in the future.

I shared the above with a couple of people and they said that what I was doing was good for many reasons BUT, it was really good because in Ballroom, Salsa, Tango and Swing dancing because "fat" girls do not get to dance...

I looked at the photo gallery and yes, I know that many of these are Pros and that a few are Amatures. I did note that no "fat" girls were in the gallery.

Is it true? Even a little bit?

I do not mean to offend least I offend myself at this time.

My thanks.

Oaktown Dancer

tasche

03-28-2004, 01:07 PM

YESYESYES ( to the fat girls get to dance part)

We do ( or did thanks to dancing again and a good eating plan I'm geting closer the skimpy dress size again)

I never had problem getting dances when I was a size 18 ( I'm a 12 now) because contrary to popular believe big girls can learn to move well

Genesius Redux

03-28-2004, 01:08 PM

It is certainly not true--and I wouldn't waste one more second trying to lose a few more pounds before you start to dance. Dancers come in all shapes and sizes.

Now it is true that many of the more competitive dancers tend toward the slender--whether this is because slender people have more mobility or dancing makes you conscious of the way you look anyway, I don't know. But I've danced with many women who wear sizes larger than eights, and some of them are quite delightful partners.

Kudos on your concern for a healthy lifestyle--anyone making the effort to become more fit will have nothing but unflagging support for me. But for Heaven's sake, don't let a few extra pounds get in the way of the start of a lifetime of dancing!

What if the Earth was destroyed tomorrow by an alien race who needed to clear the way for a new intergalactic highway? Live this day completely! :D [/i]

Sarah

03-28-2004, 04:02 PM

I looked at the photo gallery and yes, I know that many of these are Pros and that a few are Amatures. I did note that no "fat" girls were in the gallery.

Is it true? Even a little bit?

Hi Oaktown, and welcome

While you were browsing the photos, did you see this one?
Sarah (http://www.dance-forums.com/album/showphoto.php?photo=200&password=&sort=1&cat=500&page=1)
That's me, in costume for belly dance. Not exactly skinny, which is fine for a belly-dancer but you might like to know that I also dance salsa, swing, and a tiny bit of waltz and tango. I'm not short of partners, either ;).

Don't let your current shape stop you starting. Dancing's way more fun than walking.

Cheers
Sarah

MadamSamba

03-28-2004, 04:10 PM

Hey, Oaktowndancer and welcome to DF. Rest assured larger girls do indeed get dances, lots of them. In fact, one of the best dancers at my studio is a lot larger than is traditional in any field, including dancing. Men vie to dance with her.

When I started ballroom I was largish. I've still got a way to go before I "look" like a dancer, but I'm on my way and any weight loss has been a result of dancing madly.

The only problem I've noticed is that you can't move as quickly as someone who's say, a size 8-12 (I'm not sure about other sizes, but 8-12 is small down here) and being overweight generally means you're a little unfitter than you would be if you were thinner, but of course, one's thinness is not indicative of their fitness level. Again, as you dance, you'll get slimmer, fitter and lighter on your feet.

I suspect the person who told you that has a problem with dancing with larger people. It's probably only the comp dancers that face such problems. I've certainly heard of comp dancers (even low-level ones) being told they're too overweight to compete, but for social dancing, I think you'll find people are fabulous and only judge you on one thing...how well you dance! :)

Pacion

03-28-2004, 05:23 PM

In salsa, there is a tendency for the girls to be slim. However, as others have said, it really is down to your personality/dancing because at the end of the day, your partners want to leave the dancefloor going " wow! That was fun!" I have seen some well endowered women US 12 -24, for their height, dancing and believe me when I tell you, that some of these women look better on the dancefloor than some of their slimmer counterparts who basically have no co-ordination or their posture is all over the place :?

To illustrate, here is a website for an all women's salsa/mambo group in NY Mambo Mamas (http://www.mambomamas.com/). I have only ever seen them performing as a group and they were great. So, the bottom line is: If they can do, anyone can. So, if you love it, go for it. Goodluck.

Genesius Redux

03-28-2004, 05:30 PM

In salsa, there is a tendency for the girls to be slim. However, as others have said, it really is down to your personality/dancing because at the end of the day, your partners want to leave the dancefloor going " wow! That was fun!" I have seen some well endowered women US 12 -24, for their height, dancing and believe me when I tell you, that some of these women look better on the dancefloor than some of their slimmer counterparts who basically have no co-ordination or their posture is all over the place :?

That's a very good point--I'll admit I'm as prone as the next guy to asking a woman to dance if I find her very attractive. But believe me, there's nothing that shatters the whole illusion more completely than when she really can't do anything. Besides, I think sexy has a lot more to do with how comfortable you are in your body and how you move with it--so you will see plenty of larger women who are a whole lot sexier than their more slender counterparts. And more fun to dance with.

delamusica

03-28-2004, 05:36 PM

It seems to me like the stereotype of super-thin girls dancing ballroom and lating probably comes from watching the really advanced pros. And of course they're thin - they've been dancing for hours a day for years, and many of them work out on top of that! Anybody would be in shape training like that. Fortunately, that sort of superhuman fitness is absolutely NOT a requirement for the rest of us to enjoy dancing. :)

ShyDancer

03-28-2004, 06:02 PM

It is certainly not true--and I wouldn't waste one more second trying to lose a few more pounds before you start to dance. Dancers come in all shapes and sizes.

I agree 100%!! Get out there and DANCE!

My sister is a larger girl and she is never lacking for a man to dance with. There is a big girl at one of the places I dance and man can she move! I wish and hope that one day I can move like she does.

Like delamusica says, these top competitors train for hours every day, dancing and at the gym, they need to be strong, not just thin.

My advice is to get out there and take those lessons now!
Good Luck!

Pacion

03-28-2004, 07:48 PM

Anybody would be in shape training like that.
The thing is though, that even if a woman or man dances 28 hours a day, 9 days a week, (and they don't take steriods or any such medication) unless their genetic material *entitles* them to be relatively flat chested and slim hipped then unless they go underneath the knife, they are not going to get that body type. :?

Example: In the *olden days* when Communist was still around, I heard and read rumours/stories that the Eastern European coaches gave the female gymnasts/skaters drugs to delay puberty. Therefore, a birth certificate gymnast, aged 18/19 would have the body of a 10/11 year old. By comparison, the US gymnasts look "heavy and out of shape" because even though they were the same age or perhaps even a couple of years younger AND doing similiar amount of training, there was the drugs and body types that came into play. :?

So, we have "same sport", "same training" but yet the bodies looked different.

peachexploration

03-28-2004, 07:56 PM

Ditto to what everyone has said. Get out there and dance! :D :banana:

Jack

03-28-2004, 08:24 PM

I dance with all the ladies I can....

tsb

03-28-2004, 08:32 PM

Ditto to what everyone has said. Get out there and dance! :D :banana:

plus, if you do continue to lose weight, remember who asked you to dance - and those who didn't - should you care to enjoy a little payback!

etchuck

03-28-2004, 10:37 PM

For social dancing, just do it. If people don't get to you because you're too big, tough for them.

There are certain dances that for whatever reason larger people actually seem to do better. Samba and swing seem to be the prime examples for whatever reason.

Oaktown Dancer

03-28-2004, 11:22 PM

Everybody...THANKS, Thanks and THANKS!!!!!

I feel so confident. If not for you guys I would be still thinking that I have to loose like 40 more pounds before I darkened any dance instructors door!

It never occured to me that ummm...DANCING would be yet another great way to slim down a little more! Go figure...

I think because I have had a tendency to approach things with such a serious attitude that I was probably just about to mess up my dream of dancing by trying to be "perfect".

All of your photos and websites are simply excellent! Thanks for sharing with me.

This weekend I head to my first competition as a full three day spectator, staying in a lovely hotel for two nights, attending all of the afternoon and evening events and taking in all three dinner, breakfast and midnight banquets...see, I do like to eat and drink and dress up too...my bad! giggle.

My hubby will join me for the Saturday night gala and I just want to dance and dance and dance...now I will. I need to work off all that food somehow.

You all have the best attitudes and I think I will do more work on mine and I will try and stay far away from the negative people.

My dad said that he was proud and excited for me. He added that sometimes people who wish that they had the courage to start something new resent those who actually do. He and mom said that whenever I put on my first competition dress they will be there cheering me on!

Thank You to all of you...I pray that I continue to meet such wonderful people as all of you as I take baby steps into your world.

Oaktown Dancer

MacMoto

03-29-2004, 01:39 AM

My dad said that he was proud and excited for me. He added that sometimes people who wish that they had the courage to start something new resent those who actually do.

Can I just say that I think your dad is a wonderful man? He's absolutely right! Go girl, have fun. Don't let anyone put you off!
:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

KevinL

03-29-2004, 07:48 AM

Oaktown Dancer:

I used to dance in the SF Bay area, and one of my favorite partners was a woman named Donna who (was) obese. If she only wieghed 300 pounds I would be supreised. The first time she and I danced swing together she couldn't even finish the song. Over the course of the following year she got better and stronger, and could last several songs before resting. I even think she lost weight, but I'm not sure. I haven't seen her in a couple of years, but I hope she is still dancing.

The only problem Donna had was in other people's perception. She would go to dance events and end up sitting out because people wouldn't ask her to dance unless they already knew her. (I always thought she should ask more guys to dance, but perhaps she did and I didn't notice.)

If you are overweight and go out dancing will you get to dance? Absolutely! Will you get to dance with the stuck-up guys who only want to dance with the hot young hardbodies? Probably not, but who would want to dance with egos like that anyway?

Kevin

Phil Owl

03-29-2004, 09:38 AM

This Owl can tell you that he has had the pleasure of dancing with several larger, full-figured women and had a blast. The ones I danced with were some of the nicest people too. I'll take that over some drop-dead gorgeous competition level woman with an ego the size of Texas any day! :D I'm not exactly a toothpick myself and have had very little trouble getting dances (save for ego-ridden snobs but who wants t dance with that anyway!)

I join in that chorus of encouragement and say get out there and dance OakTown!! You're a champ already! :D :banana:

Sagitta

03-29-2004, 12:45 PM

Welcome to df Oaktown! :D I'm glad that you have decided to go ahead with the dancing. The idea of staying away from or ignoring those negative people and surrounding yourself with positives is a good one!! :)

TemptressToo

03-29-2004, 12:53 PM

I have a friend who is 'healthy' and she dances most all dances...mostly because she has that personality that people notice. She is also not afraid to ask the men out whereas I sit back and allow them to come to me.

I myself am not a stick. I'm quite curvy and unfortunately short-waisted (which means any bit I gain that ends up on my waist line look ten-times worst than a long- and regular-waisted do with the same weight gain). I often feel big compared to the bitsy ladies who teach at my studio that are between a size 00 and a 4. How in the heck do they get that small??? :)

In all honesty...I don't think it even matters what size you are or what you weigh. It is the person and the persona you exude that attracts most people.

Good luck to you and have fun.

Genesius Redux

03-29-2004, 02:42 PM

I myself am not a stick. I'm quite curvy and unfortunately short-waisted (which means any bit I gain that ends up on my waist line look ten-times worst than a long- and regular-waisted do with the same weight gain). I often feel big compared to the bitsy ladies who teach at my studio that are between a size 00 and a 4. How in the heck do they get that small??? :)

Yeah, right, Temptress--we've all seen your website, and I've gotta say my heart is certainly bleeding for you! :wink:

In all seriousness, though, I'm not sure when the twiggy look came into serious fashion. I, for one, appreciate a woman who looks like a woman, you know, with actual real hips and curves? Callista Flockhart does not send me. Call me conservative, whatever....

Oaktown Dancer

03-30-2004, 06:06 PM

Thanks again to everyone for your honest candor.

I am going to join a friend for lessons next week!!!! She is thrilled that I am not waiting.

I will let you all know how I progress. Your support is phenomenal.

My Best,
Oaktown Dancer

ShyDancer

03-30-2004, 06:44 PM

YAY Oaktown Dancer!!

Im sure your first lesson will be a blast!

Be sure to come back and let us know how it went!

pelao

03-30-2004, 10:47 PM

well, i dont know about ballroom dancing. But in clubs, i've seen tons of overweight couples (men and women) dancing and having a good time. Now, you have to think realistically though. In a lot of dances (ballroom), the men/women do like doing a lot of crazy tricks by themselves and with their partner, so it would be almost impossible trying to do certain moves with a person who is a bit too overweight.

I think you should ask yourself, "Do i really wanna lose weight, or is it ONLY for some little dance thing?" I say, sure, why not lose weight (to a healthy weight of course!). But! Do it because YOU want to. But if you do lose weight, for gods sake, dont go crazy like so many people do. Don't starve yourself, or take some knock off diet programs - simply, just don't go doing anything stupid (threat to your life and health) just to lose weight. If you really wanna know how to lose weight proper like, I think you should consult your doctor to help you - lose weight, but, in a healthy way mind you. Also, ask your doctor too, if he/she recommends that you change your diet to one that allows you to lose weight. Remember, not all people can do these types of things.

Most importantly though; remember, dancing is for fun. It really doesn't matter the persons weight - as long as they can dance, and know how to enjoy themselves. All the women in my family (mom, aunt, grandma, sister, etc) are overweight (in different capacities). But whenever we go out clubbing together, I (and they) still have a great time dancing.

Good luck.

cocodrilo

03-31-2004, 12:09 AM

Dear Oaktown Dancer
As an American having first learned salsa dance in Japan and not spending much time dancing latin dance outside of Asia, I have not had a chance to observe various body types, as all the girls are skinny here! I however have watched numerous videos of salsa congresses all over the world and a lot of the ladies are on the heavy side but boy can they dance! With the extra weight, they acquire sexy curves which just seems to add more appeal to latin dancing! One thing I can't understand is how a person who practices as little as once or twice weekly could possibly have any extra body fat!! It's such an amazingly good workout that I've actually been able to eat more & still stay thin! I highly recommend salsa (you can practice anywhere and don't need a partner!) for a quick, fun weight-loss program! Good luck & keep dancin'!!!

pygmalion

03-31-2004, 06:31 AM

YAY Oaktown Dancer!!

Im sure your first lesson will be a blast!

Be sure to come back and let us know how it went!

Ditto! Be sure to check in. :wink: :D

Spitfire

03-31-2004, 07:02 AM

Once again I'd like to mention a lady here who is one of the USABDA officers; she must be in excess of 250lbs, but she is very light on her feet and easy to dance with.

KevinL

03-31-2004, 07:54 AM

I was out dancing last night and saw a guy I thought I recognized, but I wasn't sure. It was only later in the evening when I realized that I did know him. He had lost 50 pounds in the year since I lost saw him, in part because he now dances with his whole body. Very impresive!

If this guy is any indication (and he is), dancig is a great way to lose weight and get fit!

Kevin

Seini

03-31-2004, 01:28 PM

Get out and dance. That is all that counts. Dancing is for you, everyone else wants to dance :)

I saw a professional couple in Canada that were both ++sized. Although they did not win, they placed well and stole the show for the audience. Their speed was just as good as the size 2 and the choreography they used matched their size with just as much elegance as the size 2. You could tell they were dancing, rather than doing some of the gymnastics I see too often.

AND.... of the 8 couples on the floor, they were the only ones that truly looked like they were enjoying themselves. :D

pygmalion

03-31-2004, 05:08 PM

Hi Seini. :D It's late, but sincere. Welcome. 8)

fashionlady

04-12-2004, 03:05 PM

I just want to add that people lose weight for the wrong reasons....While I am thin and will remain thin in large part to excercising 6 days a week and eating healthy(most of the time :wink: :roll: ), the reason I want to stay thin is more for health reasons than for looks.(although I do care about how I look, obviously.) So my advice to oaktown dancer is to lose weight so that the inside of your body is healthy. So you can protect yourself against many diseases such as diebetes, kidney problems, heart problems, etc. Also, many people find they have more energy when thin versus overweight. That's why anyone should ever want to be thin. Unfortunately, our society acts like looks are the only reason to get to and stay thin.[/b]

pygmalion

04-12-2004, 04:15 PM

You make good points, fashionlady. 8)

And , I think, another, is that thin does not necessarily equal healthy. I know about half a dozen people with extremely high cholesterol readings. Half of them are thin to very thin. Girth/ body weight is only one measure of health. There are others that might be more important.

cocodrilo

04-12-2004, 05:19 PM

Indeed, fashionlady! My sentiments exactly!
I know some people who are just plain skinny, yet are always catching colds & the like as they do not watch what they eat! There is also the problem of internal body fat, which masses around organs such as the kidneys & liver and can be much more of a health hazard then external body fat.( A lot of sedentary thin people have this!)

Sagitta

04-12-2004, 10:41 PM

Weight does not matter -- letting yourself go to tell the story of the dance, the music, the song. That's what it is all about. :)

tasche

04-13-2004, 01:51 AM

Unfortunately stating that weight doesn't matter is really a comfort when you ahve loads to spare. Doesn't matter how much self confidence you might have. It never seemed to be enough. Fatness seems to be the one last diehard discriminating factor left around.

It's shocking how ppl treat you when your fat vs non fat (I'm not totally skinny yet or over but not fat) but *sigh* I dont want to get into the injustices of growing up a "chunky" girl but lets say what ever mean crude snide insult you can think of I've been told it.

I can totally understand about wanting to lose weight before taking up dance again in fact that what I had planned to do. If I hadn't taken the plunge sooner then I would have only now been starting to take lessons if at all.

PM if you need support

Kassia

03-04-2008, 07:58 PM

I am a bit on the heavy side and have danced all my life... Well since i was 4 years old!
I dance because it's fun and it's good exercise.. I don't like very many types of excersice but dance.. I have done ballet, jazz, flamenco and ballroom all as a slightly overwieght, chubby, short adult.
Tashe said,
"Fatness seems to be the one last diehard discriminating factor left around."
It is true but trying being a fat, blonde woman.. It seems to be ok to tell blonde jokes still too!
Fat does not equal lazy or unhealthy. There are many "light" people out there that have just as many, if not more medical problems than some of us rubenequs girls. The ideal of beauty has changed alot over the ages. In fact just the other night there was a show on about anerexia and bulimia in celebrities.. Are they healthy people because they are skinny? NO, the are not.
But another word of warning and this goes for anyone, check with your doctor before starting any kind of exercise program.!!!
I have complained numerous times to my doctor that something hurts and she says it is dance related? I usally say yes it is.. She says, Then adjust the way you are dancing so that it doesn't hurt you... Never has she told me to quit dance!!
And btw, my dh and I didn't start ballroom lessons until our mid 40's. He never dance at all before and, at the ripe old age of 44, we are going to dance in our first showcase in April. Ooppsss the age thing is a different thread all together..

biggestbox

03-05-2008, 08:26 AM

I think the most important thing is to be strong. A big dancer with strong legs and feet can move very very well, just like slim dancers. The bigger you are the stronger you have to be to compensate.

suburbaknght

03-05-2008, 08:46 AM

Laura

03-05-2008, 10:45 AM

How did this thread come back to life, isn't it like five years old? :)

And to answer the question, yes.
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V

fascination

03-05-2008, 10:48 AM

a new member found it...

samina

03-05-2008, 10:53 AM

And for the record, I lost fourteen pounds in my first month as a part time teacher.

i can imagine!

fascination

03-05-2008, 10:57 AM

as has been said before I lost 40-50 my first year dancing

samina

03-05-2008, 10:57 AM

The best west coast swing partner I ever danced with was, well... Check her out with her teacher: http://youtube.com/watch?v=nOuN2CGFS-Y

isn't she adorable! her dancing rocks... a gifted performer... down to the last frame! lol...

lcdancesport

03-05-2008, 10:58 AM

I have had several plus-sized social partners and they were always a pleasure to dance with. The best west coast swing partner I ever danced with was, well... Check her out with her teacher: http://youtube.com/watch?v=nOuN2CGFS-Y

And for the record, I lost fourteen pounds in my first month as a part time teacher.

I love her attitude! How fun.

fascination

03-05-2008, 10:59 AM

isn't she adorable! her dancing rocks... a gifted performer... down to the last frame! lol...precisely...I have been beaten by women twice my size and have pulverized a few
half my size

fascination

03-05-2008, 11:02 AM

one of the hottest rumbas I have ever seen was a showdance in wisconsin by a woman who had to be 250...and she just rocked it

FeetwithaBeat

03-05-2008, 11:16 AM

isn't she adorable! her dancing rocks... a gifted performer... down to the last frame! lol...

:applause: SHE ROCKS!!!!!!

etp777

03-05-2008, 11:19 AM

30 pounds here in my first year.

Stagekat

03-05-2008, 11:33 AM

Kassia

03-05-2008, 11:43 AM

I have had several plus-sized social partners and they were always a pleasure to dance with. The best west coast swing partner I ever danced with was, well... Check her out with her teacher: http://youtube.com/watch?v=nOuN2CGFS-Y
Wow that is a great video! She is fantastic.. With moves like that i think she should be competing!
Yes it seems i resureccted this thread the other day.. I think it is an important topic cause size and, age, do prevent people from learning to dance.
Time and time again our western culture shows a distorted view of beauty. That only thin, young people can be attrative and successfull.. BS if you ask me.. You just have to look at the way the cruise line brochures change thier advertising to cater to different groups.. :headwall:
In North America we alo know that too much sun is bad for you but what do many people do? They spend hours and lots of money, either out in the sun or at the tanning salon.. But for many dark skinned people the vision of beauty is to be lighter or fairer skinned.. Hypocrisy? The old doulbe standard again. And the standard of beauty sure has changed over the ages. In ancient Rome being fat was considered good.. If you were fat you had lots of money and could buy more food.. Skinny people where poor and starving.
Anyway here's a good article on the standard of beauty i found on the net.
http://www.nappystories.com/main/nonfiction/beautystandards.htm
Now all that beind said i am short and that's not good if you want to be a model either.. Nothing i can do about that. I can change my hair colour and wear high heels but i can' not change my ethnic background or my genetic make up. So here i am, short, pale, blue eyed(that's a minority i hear), slighty overwieght, middle aged woman. I have dance or skated all my life and have no intention of quitting now! My dh didn't start dancing till he was 43 years old and he's pretty good at it.. Yes it does take longer to learn when you are older and some times because of my weight i can't do certain moves or make them look really good. And if my dance teachers don't understand that then they are not very good teachers. My ballroom teacher is 29 years old, my belly dance teacher is 42 years old and my flamenco teacher was in ther 70's when she finally retired. Opppsss i am getting into the age thread again..
The first belly dance class i ever took was with a bunch of seniors and tought by a woman in ther late 60's. They were the most energetic bunch of ladies i have ever met! They could dance circles around me!!
Opppsss sorry for another long post but it's really what i believe.
:D

Kassia

03-05-2008, 11:45 AM

And i can't find fishnet tights that fit either!!!!

jennyisdancing

03-05-2008, 11:55 AM

I'll have to be sure to check that link when I get home.. (can't do you tube at work).

The answer to the orig. question in this post is...Absolutely "fat" girls ballroom dance!

I dropped 80lbs my first year (keep in mind I was carrying almost 200lbs extra, so it was "easier" for my body to want to get rid of it)... not to mention all the OTHER beneifts of learning to dance and meeting new people.

I'm still a "big" girl... physically more appropriately designed for an american football field than the dance floor... but that doesn't stop me!

BTW if you don't mind my mentioning - Stagekat's inspiring weight loss story is in the current issue of First for women magazine, congrats!

My story is not so dramatic, but I have lost 20 pounds since becoming active in dancing last year. I hope to lose more. I used to work out a lot and was a size 4. A change in job and family responsibilities left me with a lot less free time to exercise, and I put on weight. Even though I'm an average size, not plus, I still feel self-conscious next to those willowy, lean-muscled types on the dance floor. I try to keep in mind that some of them were just born with that body type; no matter how much weight I lose or how small I get, I will still be genetically curvy.

Frankly, I do think the thinner girls sometimes have an easier time getting dances simply because of their appearance, even when they are not good dancers. But I just keep on working on my skills and try not to let it bother me.

Ballroom does seem to require a certain size for high-level competition. But there does seem to be more of a tolerance for different shapes and sizes in West Coast Swing and in salsa, especially on the social floor. I've also seen some plus-sized folks win West Coast Swing comps.

Ithink

03-05-2008, 12:07 PM

Yes, the Westie world just seems a lot more diverse, even the competitive world. For every Jessica Cox there are five Tatiana Mollmann's:) Westie girls just seem too look more "normal".

Stagekat

03-05-2008, 12:45 PM

BTW if you don't mind my mentioning - Stagekat's inspiring weight loss story is in the current issue of First for women magazine, congrats!

My story is not so dramatic, but I have lost 20 pounds since becoming active in dancing last year. I hope to lose more. I used to work out a lot and was a size 4. A change in job and family responsibilities left me with a lot less free time to exercise, and I put on weight. Even though I'm an average size, not plus, I still feel self-conscious next to those willowy, lean-muscled types on the dance floor. I try to keep in mind that some of them were just born with that body type; no matter how much weight I lose or how small I get, I will still be genetically curvy.

Frankly, I do think the thinner girls sometimes have an easier time getting dances simply because of their appearance, even when they are not good dancers. But I just keep on working on my skills and try not to let it bother me.

Ballroom does seem to require a certain size for high-level competition. But there does seem to be more of a tolerance for different shapes and sizes in West Coast Swing and in salsa, especially on the social floor. I've also seen some plus-sized folks win West Coast Swing comps.

Thanks Jenny! (Thanks for your comments on my blog as well!)

Nearly everyone I know at my studio has dropped weight and toned up...even if the don't "look" like they need to drop any weight at all... I've also noticed that EVERYONE seems to admire or envy someone else..which is just human nature... and adds to the good natured competitiveness of everything (and sometimes not so good natured, but I prefer to think of everything in a more positive light).

It does seem that there is a particular body type that is very prevalent in professional competitive dancing, but I have noticed in recent comps more and more variances in body types... they are subtle but there. I'm pleased to see it, because for the younger crowd looking to maybe become pros at some point in the future it's good to see some more "attainable" body types out there on the floor and doing well!

jennyisdancing

03-05-2008, 12:56 PM

Yes, the Westie world just seems a lot more diverse, even the competitive world. For every Jessica Cox there are five Tatiana Mollmann's:) Westie girls just seem too look more "normal".

Agreed - I'm definitely a Tatiana type physically (petite, blonde, curvy). And in salsa, although there are some slender girls who can rock those revealing latin outfits, I also see lots of normal and heavier ladies who can really move, and they do get asked to dance. Culturally, I think the salsa world is more comfortable with shapely and/or fuller figures. In fact, a tall, model-thin lady in my salsa class actually bemoans her boyish shape, and says that having curves would make her look more sexy when she dances!

elisedance

03-05-2008, 01:00 PM

In ballroom weight is not just about looks. I've lost 21lb since I got into competition and I've noticed that it is simply much easier to move and dance without carrying all those 'bags of sugar'. I still feel heavy doing the quickstep, in particular the syncopated skippy steps so I would like to loose at least another 10.

Ithink

03-05-2008, 01:20 PM

Oh, absolutely. Since I started dancing way back when, I've probably lost about 30-35lbs (most of it not from dancing though but from eating well and working out) and look totally different. But it's also a LOT easier and more comfortable to dance the way I am now than the way I was. I wasn't in bad shape back then, I'm just in great shape now. Being a small C cup rather than a D also goes a long way towards the comfort portion of it;)

elisedance

03-05-2008, 01:26 PM

ditto - on the ballast... ;)

standardgirl

03-05-2008, 01:41 PM

And i can't find fishnet tights that fit either!!!!

danskin is one of the vendors that make tights in women plus size. You can check it out. :D

w88dm4n

03-05-2008, 01:48 PM

I'm a 32 yo male, 6'1", and have been dancing for three years with a social focus and an occasional random local comp appearance.

When the local studio has a party, a couple of the most fun women to dance with are obviously overweight and in their early sixties! I ask the drop-dead gorgeous 22yo size 2 with no dance frame and no smile to dance every couple of months, just to see if she's more fun. There are plenty of cases, literally, where the mercy case is with the size 2 and the desired partner is a size 12. It's really odd -- there is no correlation whatsoever between how easy a girl follows and her mass.

Just dance well, and the rest will 'follow'. Anyways, from what I've observed, 'fat' is a temporary condition in the dance world.

w88dm4n

latingal

03-05-2008, 01:54 PM

Welcome to DF w88m4n!

tanya_the_dancer

03-05-2008, 02:31 PM

Interesting, I've actually gained weight since I started dancing more seriously than a couple of group classes a week, because I've put on some muscle where I previously had very little of it.

elisedance

03-05-2008, 02:34 PM

Welcome to DF w88dm4n. Its quite a name, we will have to find a nice shortening. How about 88? Thats cool.....

But:
There are plenty of cases, literally, where the mercy case is with the size 2 and the desired partner is a size 12. It's really odd -- there is no correlation whatsoever between how easy a girl follows and her mass.
You may get in trouble if you characterize a 12 as overweight! It might be on a 4.5ft girl but its actually slim on a 6ft one... :)

Posting can be a minefield! :) Hope to see many more of yours...

Ithink

03-05-2008, 03:12 PM

You may get in trouble if you characterize a 12 as overweight! It might be on a 4.5ft girl but its actually slim on a 6ft one... :)
...

Not to mention the assumption that a "drop dead gorgeous girl" is one who is 22 and size 2. I guess that makes Demi Moore and Kate Winslet kinda ugly;)

cornutt

03-05-2008, 03:27 PM

no matter how much weight I lose or how small I get, I will still be genetically curvy.

I can assure you that there is absolutely nothing wrong with curvy. :raisebro:

Ballroom does seem to require a certain size for high-level competition.

That's always going to be true for the top level of any highly-developed sport. When it gets that competitive, one particular body type is always going to have an edge with regard to the nature of the game. Basketball is always going to favor tall guys. Football is always going to favor big guys. Tennis is always going to favor players with huge wingspans.

(Larinda, perhaps you could chime in on this...)

amiko

03-05-2008, 04:12 PM

I really give you props for going out and taking your first lesson!!

If are heavier than you ideally want to be,

that is who you WERE...as a result of your past.

It's up to you to decide what to make of yourself, enjoy a hobbie and have a blast.

Dancer love dancing with someone who is fun to dance with!!

It is never too late to drop a few pounds,

and what better way than to work up a SWEAT dancing to great music!!

elisedance

03-05-2008, 05:17 PM

Amiko - love your posts, they are so subtle. And bland. :p :)

w88dm4n

03-05-2008, 06:18 PM

Welcome to DF w88dm4n. Its quite a name, we will have to find a nice shortening. How about 88? Thats cool.....

But:

You may get in trouble if you characterize a 12 as overweight! It might be on a 4.5ft girl but its actually slim on a 6ft one... :)

Posting can be a minefield! :) Hope to see many more of yours...

Yeah, the name was the result of joining a popular site (during 1997, IIRC), and being forced to come up with some inane userid, which stuck. My first hobby was woodworking, and I'm not sure t4n60d4nc3r would be easy to remember.

The dress sizes were references from the original post. I have my own tastes in women. :)

w88dm4n

ThisIsNotMe

03-05-2008, 06:24 PM

Well, I'm not exactly the thinnest person ever - I'm not terribly overweight, I'm an AU size 10 to 12 (depending on the brand etc, not sure what that translates to in US sizes). Being quite short though, the tiniest bit of extra weight really shows (I'm 5'4", just). I'm definitely the biggest girl in my class, and yet, I never have trouble finding anyone to dance with, even when there are only half as many guys as girls.

fascination

03-05-2008, 06:31 PM

Amiko - love your posts, they are so subtle. And bland. :p :)
um...but we do respectfully ask for a minimum of that sort of thing for logistical reasons

danceronice

03-05-2008, 09:54 PM

Izzy20

03-05-2008, 10:05 PM

Twelve is kinda sorta plus size now--they've shifted sizes in the US. I *should* be a pattern size twelve. I wear sixes and eights now in most stores. Twelves I'm swimming in.

I actually gained weight, then lost it again, when I was relying on dancing alone for exercise, but now I'm dropping and intend to keep it off. I would say it's because it feels better, but honestly? I like how I look when I'm thinner and when I'm happy with what I see in the mirror, I dance better.

I think sizes in general are just sort of wacky. A size 12 somewhere will fit me and somewhere else a 16. Even the same style I sometimes wear two sizes in (especially jeans) I have a friend who is a size zero and complains about everything is too big on her while I have trouble finding things that fit. I don't consider myself plus sized just "curvy"

More on topic, I used to take ballet and I was told I didn't have the body for it. I decided that I couldn't dance and am now taking ballroom which I love and truly the fact I am short and a bit chubby really doesn't seem to matter all that much.

elisedance

03-06-2008, 02:44 AM

Twelve is kinda sorta plus size now--they've shifted sizes in the US. I *should* be a pattern size twelve. I wear sixes and eights now in most stores. Twelves I'm swimming in.

How tall are you DOI?

Laura

03-06-2008, 02:57 AM

elisedance

03-06-2008, 02:59 AM

Twelve is kinda sorta plus size now--they've shifted sizes in the US. I *should* be a pattern size twelve. I wear sixes and eights now in most stores. Twelves I'm swimming in.

How tall are you DOI?

According to one article I found on the web, Marilyn Monroe was a size 14! And the average american woman wears a size 12.
http://www.youqa.com/generic-health-1/100-8-youqa.html

elisedance

03-06-2008, 03:04 AM

Here's another funny one - a comparision of 'real' women to a (scaled) barbie:
http://people.bu.edu/kwysocki/versus.html

They claim that the average size for women is a 14, height 5'4" and weight 140. I find that size and weight to be a bit hard to reconcile - but maybe that was before size 'deflation'.

samina

03-06-2008, 06:12 AM

How tall are you DOI?

According to one article I found on the web, Marilyn Monroe was a size 14! And the average american woman wears a size 12.
http://www.youqa.com/generic-health-1/100-8-youqa.html

The quotw is misleading - Marilyn was small, and a size 14 in the 50s was not anywhere what it is today. I bet she'd float in an 8 and was closer to a 6...

Joe

03-06-2008, 06:25 AM

snopes.com/movies/actors/mmdress.asp

Joe

03-06-2008, 06:25 AM

Yeah, the name was the result of joining a popular site (during 1997, IIRC), and being forced to come up with some inane userid, which stuck. My first hobby was woodworking, and I'm not sure t4n60d4nc3r would be easy to remember.

The dress sizes were references from the original post. I have my own tastes in women. :)

w88dm4n
ur so 1337.

elisedance

03-06-2008, 07:09 AM

The quotw is misleading - Marilyn was small, and a size 14 in the 50s was not anywhere what it is today. I bet she'd float in an 8 and was closer to a 6...

I'm sure thats right (and hinted at in the followup).

Does anyone have info (measurements) on how clothing sizes have changed over the years?

fascination

03-06-2008, 07:10 AM

It would be interesting to take a bunch of people with the ideal healthy BMI and/or the ideal weight for their height based on the height/weight charts and find out what size of ready-to-wear they wear.
yeah...that is one useless measurement let me tell you...with my muscle mass, I qualify as obese!!!!!!!!!...now I am not a small girl, size 10, but I am not obese

WorksForShoes

03-06-2008, 07:14 AM

Ditto on that, fasc. I'm a size 10 as well, and the more I dance, the better toned I think I look, and the closer my BMI gets to obese. BMI may (emphasis on may) be an OK measure for the folks who are struggling to find time for a 30 minute walk 3 times a week, but it is pretty useless for most on this board, I would wager.

samina

03-06-2008, 07:42 AM

yeah...that is one useless measurement let me tell you...with my muscle mass, I qualify as obese!!!!!!!!!...now I am not a small girl, size 10, but I am not obese

Exactly. Bone density is also another factor that renders the BMI ridiculous. My bone density has always made me way 20 lbs more than I look. And according to the BMI I am obese, which is just silly.

Laura

03-06-2008, 10:50 AM

I had body composition analysis done a while ago by my doctor and her targeted 'ideal weight' for me (based on my existing lean body mass) would leave me at the high end of the "overweight" range.

etp777

03-06-2008, 10:52 AM

When I'm actually working out regularly (IE lifting for strength, not just cardio to lose weight/look good in a latin shirt ;) ), I can have no visible fat but still be WELL into overweight range, almost to obese. Definitely varies by person, I've always ignored the weight charts/formulas.

Stagekat

03-06-2008, 11:15 AM

Those silly charts... I've been off the scale on those things most of my life. (That's what happens when you exceed 5' by age 10, and grow more than an inch a year until age 16)

I don't even want to know where they put a 5'10.25" female who's still a good bit over 200lbs. I think those charts want to see me around 140/150lbs. HA what a joke!

"Ideal weight" -for lack of a better term- is avery personal thing... I don't believe anyone should try and pigeon hole themselves to what the all mighty "They" say is "right."

nucat78

03-06-2008, 11:19 AM

Our medical school is currently running a seminar titled "Be Happy your Genes Fit" or something like that - heredity plays a huge role in body types, metabolic rates, etc.

croaker

03-06-2008, 11:30 AM

body fat percentage is a far better indicator of overall fitness than BMI imho.

Laura

03-06-2008, 12:50 PM

body fat percentage is a far better indicator of overall fitness than BMI imho.
I agree, and it makes me wonder why the government, the diet industry, and most of the medical establishment keeps pushing height and weight charts, and then BMI, as the official arbiter of 'appropriate' body mass.

skwiggy

03-06-2008, 01:20 PM

I'm guessing it's just because the average person doesn't have the tools readily available to measure body fat percentage? Height and weight are relatively easy to measure, so most people will have some idea of those numbers.

I agree though, it paints a very fuzzy picture of someone's physical makeup.

Ithink

03-06-2008, 01:21 PM

Well, for one, because a body fat measurement, a decently accurate one at least, is a pretty involved test, a test most people wouldn't be able to get... Other body fat measurments (calipers, inpedence) are pretty inaccurate so it would be hard to tell exactly where you stand with those...

And the truth is for most people who are not athletes and don't have significant muscle mass, the BMI is a fairly easy to measure and fairly accurate.

Ithink

03-06-2008, 01:22 PM

jinx:)

pinkcaddy

03-06-2008, 01:25 PM

I know this thread is old but I just found it too, and wanted to ask everyone here a question related to large size/dancing

In my classes I have a few girls who are very big. Everything was fine until the students wanted to start learning some "tricks". (Meaning theatrical stuff, like dips in swing, etc.)

I hesitated and put them off because honestly? I had no idea if it was going to be physically possible for some of them. The guys were on the thin side, but since the girls were so large I was afraid that it would be a disaster.

Has anyone tried teaching a large girl to do a flip? (Like say, this one http://youtube.com/watch?v=2XKkEbdUP9g )

(note - my students are not ready for these tricks anyway, so I'm not teaching them yet. But I'm simply worried about this in the future because I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings!!!)

cornutt

03-06-2008, 01:33 PM

In my classes I have a few girls who are very big. Everything was fine until the students wanted to start learning some "tricks". (Meaning theatrical stuff, like dips in swing, etc.)

Any follower should know how to dip properly. In a proper dip, the follow holds up her own weight -- she does not depend on the lead to carry her.

Aerials, IHMO, are for very advanced students only! Size or no size. And if you're going to teach them, you'd better make sure you have a high ceiling and a paid-up liability insurance policy.

Laura

03-06-2008, 01:39 PM

Yeah, you're two are right, Skwiggy and Ithink. Still, I think that many people have no idea what 'normal' is any more. When a tiny petite woman in a leotard tells me her tummy is "so big now" (she is probably a size 2) or a tall sized 5 teenager says to me she is "so fat" I wonder what the hell 'normal' is -- and it makes me feel like the utmost whale on the planet because I am, by any and every definition of the word, definitely fat. I wonder, if these slender & beautiful people think they are fat, then what could they be thinking of me? I wonder, if I get to the goal weight set by my doctor, but am still a size 10, will people still judge me and think I'm fat? I am afraid that if I do all the work to lose the weight I want to, people will still look at me and think "that girl could really stand to lose another 20 pounds" and treat me accordingly.

croaker

03-06-2008, 01:40 PM

There are scales that "measure" body fat, while one has to be careful to treat the results
as a guestimate it is still in my experience way better than BMI. BMI just doesn't take into
account the muscle mass at all, even if one is not an athlete the number is often meaningless.
I found this book - "Hacker's diet" to be an excellent read on the subject of dieting and exercise if one has a technical/engineering mindset:
http://www.fourmilab.ch/hackdiet/www/hackdiet.html

pinkcaddy

03-06-2008, 01:43 PM

Any follower should know how to dip properly. In a proper dip, the follow holds up her own weight -- she does not depend on the lead to carry her.

Aerials, IHMO, are for very advanced students only! Size or no size. And if you're going to teach them, you'd better make sure you have a high ceiling and a paid-up liability insurance policy.

Yes I know this. I know that dips are doable - it's the other things like flips that I'm worried about. Sorry if I was unclear.

As I said, I would never teach beginners flips. But I would still appreciate an answer to my question - is it possible to teach a large girl to do a flip like that, such as someone weighing over 170 lbs? (assuming she outweighs her partner.)

and yes, I have insurance.

**edited*** nevermind I think I already know the answer.

samina

03-06-2008, 01:57 PM

pinkcaddy

03-06-2008, 02:08 PM

oh - i found it!

She's a great dancer, and I loved that. I have to admit I was completely shocked at the end when Mike managed to pick her full up in that drop! (can't remember the right term for that at the moment)

They even did a bunzarolla! (another old school term - don't know the name people are using for it currently - the floor sweep?) That's what I was hoping to do with a couple of my girls, so that's awesome. At least I know that it can be done and I won't have to feel nervous about it..
thanks

Laura

03-06-2008, 02:33 PM

Yeah, I finally took a look too. What great performance skills. I think a major reason why all the tricks worked so well was because she actually was moving her own self both up and down, and not just relying on her partner to do everything. Even on that last pose where she was upside down and he was holding her waist-high, she had muscle tone throughout her core and extending out through her limbs, which made her easier to support. Technique is always important, an I'm guessing triply important when there's more mass moving around.

samina

03-06-2008, 03:38 PM

Technique is always important, an I'm guessing triply important when there's more mass moving around.

well-said... "critical mass". :)

there was an open latin dancer at one of my last comps who was on the heavy side for a barely-clothed latin dancer. she was my favorite dancer by far... she was so connected in her dancing and had more control over her weight it seemed to me than the other dancers, who were much slimmer. alas, she didn't get 1st.

cornutt

03-06-2008, 04:45 PM

When a tiny petite woman in a leotard tells me her tummy is "so big now" (she is probably a size 2) or a tall sized 5 teenager says to me she is "so fat" I wonder what the hell 'normal' is -- and it makes me feel like the utmost whale on the planet because I am, by any and every definition of the word, definitely fat.

First of all, no you're not. I've seen fat, and you're not close. However, consider this also: The people you're talking about who have that problem, I don't think they look at other people the same way they look at themselves. I used to have a co-worker like that. At 95 lbs, she thought she was fat, and there was no talking her out of it. She went around complimenting other people who were much bigger than her. In her own eyes, I think she did see herself as fat. Clearly there was a disorder involved.

pinkcaddy

03-06-2008, 04:49 PM

the only reason I bring this up is because I heard some Lindy Hoppers (leads) asking girls how much they weigh.

I was shocked at this, because I know that weight doesn't necessarily effect your ability to do dips, etc, because follows are supposed to be flexing their core and holding up a lot of their own body weight.

Except that I was wondering if someone who is very overweight might have trouble with that since perhaps they wouldn't have the muscle mass to match their frame/mass? I wasn't sure - hence the questions.

BUT, these Lindy people were asking average-weight girls this question. It seemed to be a prerequisite for them?

Which makes me think either
A. these are bad dancers, or
B. these are just rude dancers, or
C. They are rude AND bad dancers, or
D. weight truly is an issue for a lot of the aerials.

Since I don't have a lot of experience teaching large girls (that want to learn lindy hop!), I just wasn't sure. The only things I care about are that the kids are having a good time and learning something - and with teenagers, they ask about aerials really early on! I put them off, but eventually I know we'll get there.

(I also don't happen to think aerials can "only be done" by advanced dancers. You don't have to be able to dance at all in order to learn tricks - it's just physics. And since nobody should be doing wild tricks on the social dance floor anyway, it's just more of a novelty for the kids I teach. They just want to have fun and I try to accommodate.)

SUZIE

03-06-2008, 04:50 PM

Hi folks I have been away for a couple of years, but now i am back! Can't believe this is still being discussed!

But i can comment now. I am now fat - and still dancing!! However, I have to be honest and say I do find it more difficult, not so much due to being fat in itself, but the extra effort involved in dragging those extra pounds around the dancefloor really shows on me at the end of a routine involving any effort. As for a jive thats longer than 2 minutes, forget it! I also need to make sure my underwear has sturdy engineering to keep me together!

My daughter is a bit taller and heavier than her partner, but he seems to be happy to dance with her - mostly I think because their priority is to enjoy the dance.

And the following is my advice to anyone who asks "can fat people do x,y, or z" - Don't ever wait until you are slimmer, or taller, or your hair is nicer, or you have a new dress. Enjoy the moment, enjoy your body, enjoy your life!

samina

03-06-2008, 04:53 PM

What a nice post. Welcome back btw Suze!

Laura

03-06-2008, 05:52 PM

Except that I was wondering if someone who is very overweight might have trouble with that since perhaps they wouldn't have the muscle mass to match their frame/mass? I wasn't sure - hence the questions.
There's a difference from being overweight and being so out of shape that you don't have enough strength to move your frame/mass. It's actually possible that skinny people don't have the strength, either, but because they are small their partners can do a lot more for them without noticing.

I would be concerned about teaching aerials to anyone who couldn't already demonstrate some basic gymnastic ability no matter what their weight. I don't know what these skills are, but I'm thinking like ... can you do x pushups (to demonstrate upper body strength), can you do a somersault on the floor (to show flexibility through the spine), can you do a cartwheel (again, strength plus coordination), can you do x jumping jacks (leg strength and coordination). These are just examples, I have no idea what the skill set test should be, what do you think?

danceronice

03-06-2008, 09:08 PM

I think it depends on the aerials. I do lifts in skating. I'm not light (139lbs at 5'4") but I help by holding my own weight. I'm too big to do overhead (aka pairs) lifts, but not by a huge amount--there it's not so much gymnastic ability as a sense of where you are and being able to maintain your frame to help the person lifting you. You also have to have a great sense of timing in concert with your partner--the only time I've ever been dropped from a lift *knocks on wood* it was a straight-line lift that required me to provide a bit of a jump. I was off, he didn't have time to get a decent hold, down I went. I don't know about more gymnastic skills.

Terpsichorean Clod

03-06-2008, 10:58 PM

precisely...I have been beaten by women twice my size and have pulverized a few
half my size
How'd you do on the dance floor? :p

Joe

03-07-2008, 06:45 AM

Given that Pink's original question was actually about doing aerials and not dips (which we can all agree should be self powered), are there videos of, uh, large girls doing aerials with skinny dudes?

fascination

03-07-2008, 07:00 AM

How'd you do on the dance floor? :p
;)smarty pants...I tend to do pretty well on the DANCE floor

elisedance

03-07-2008, 08:03 AM

Zhena

03-07-2008, 07:02 PM

Does anyone have info (measurements) on how clothing sizes have changed over the years?

Not actual measurements, but ...
I had a couple of very well-made miniskirts I wore in high school that I kept long after I could no longer wear them. A couple of years ago I gave them to my (size 4) daughter. She was perfectly happy with them until she took a close look at the tags ... "OMG they are size TWELVE! I can't wear size twelve! No, no, no, no, no!"

elisedance

03-07-2008, 10:20 PM

Not actual measurements, but ...
I had a couple of very well-made miniskirts I wore in high school that I kept long after I could no longer wear them. A couple of years ago I gave them to my (size 4) daughter. She was perfectly happy with them until she took a close look at the tags ... "OMG they are size TWELVE! I can't wear size twelve! No, no, no, no, no!"

Thats hillarious Zhena. I don't suppose she thought about cutting the label out - for her it would already be full of cooties :)

Peaches

03-08-2008, 04:47 PM

Not actual measurements, but ...
I had a couple of very well-made miniskirts I wore in high school that I kept long after I could no longer wear them. A couple of years ago I gave them to my (size 4) daughter. She was perfectly happy with them until she took a close look at the tags ... "OMG they are size TWELVE! I can't wear size twelve! No, no, no, no, no!"I can relate. I got some vintage suits several years ago, and they were gorgeous. And it was something of a shock when I found out they were a size 16 or some such (I think I was a size 6 at the time). I wore them anyway...

Chiron

03-08-2008, 07:23 PM

You ladies are making me feel lucky to be a guy, most of our sizes still corespond some body measurement (actually I'm having trouble thinking of one that doesn't). Just as long as they don't change how long an inch is I should still be able to find my size...

Peaches

03-08-2008, 07:28 PM

Cashmere

03-09-2008, 07:09 PM

Hi, I'm not thin, I can't buy off the rack, but you can still wear those beautiful dresses, you have them made to fit you. I dance, I don't care and you know what, my teacher says that I am more flexable and have better hip movement than the skinny girls.

Just be happy and dance and don't worry about anything. Dancing is good for the heart and the soul

fire_dancer

03-13-2008, 01:03 PM

Do fat girls get to dance? Absolutely!

I remember when I was just starting out, there was a heavier girl at the studio who had the most fantastic technique, and her body really helped show off her hip movements. I have a boyish shape (straight up and down) so any movements I learned had to be done twice as well to get even halfway to the way she looked.

So do heavier girls get to dance? YES! And they often look fantastic doing it, as long as they work on technique just like the rest of the class. :)