Body and Appearance

[megaproto]

does body and appearance effect the way people dance?

[Sagitta]

An interesting question, but vague!!

With diferent body types I must dance differently. If a person is taller then me fewer turns/ complicated arm moves as it is more difficult for me to execute and more body guides, such as shoulder, hips, legs... If a person is very short again I must adjust accrdingly.

Appearance...I prefer to dance with someone who is dressed up. This is why I like milongas. :) Depending on what I wear I can feel different and dance accordingly.

[ShyDancer]

If you are talking about the way it physically affects the way I dance, then yes, it most definantly does.

Personally I find it more difficult (if you use 2 dancers of the same technical level) to dance with larger leads, mostly in standard and NV dances like waltz, quickstep and foxtrot where I rely a fair bit on body leads for direction. With the larger people I find the pressure always there and sometimes its hard to know where they want me to go, and in these cases you have to rely more on the hand leads and for me these are not always as easy to follow. I also find myself standing hunched over to accomodate their belly while trying to keep proper frame. This puts me off balance as well. I probably have more of a problem because I am relatively small 5,3 and 52kgs (about 110lb for those using different measures)
This is not saying that I turn down people because of their size, a dance is a dance after all!

[Vince A]

Remember this . . . "If you dress the part, you'll act the part!"

[jon]

does body and appearance effect the way people dance?

Yes. Do you have a more specific question?

[Chris Stratton]

I'm not sure if this is really true or not, but in standard I sometimes wonder if rounder or solidly built people might look better using more curving technique, while I generally do believe that tall or sparsely built people look best using a fairly linear technique. In part this is because the linear approach seems to require more internal twist and stretch, which can use up extra arm length to help a couple who have less to make contact with achieve at least the illusion of it.

[Sabor]

does body and appearance effect the way people dance?

how can it not :?:

[squirrel]

yes, it does... more specifically...?

Sabor, I love the new avatar! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Sabor]

shhhhh! :shock: .. lower your voice else Larinda will come after u with a frying pan! :lol: :lol:

[squirrel]

the Troy one is awful! come on... where is the green T-shirt?!
and don't worry about Larinda, she's got something against your flirting, not mine! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Pacion]

Remember this . . . "If you dress the part, you'll act the part!"

I hope you are not suggesting that I dress 'mischievously' :roll: :wink: :lol:

The way one dresses is important and I was reminded of this about a year ago. I 'discovered' the Block sneakers a few years ago and wore them alot, of course mostly when wearing trousers :wink: I was going to an event late last year and wanted to wear a particular dress which had a slit in it, so I thought, okay, I will get a pair of latin shoes to complete the look. Leather would have looked too heavy.

I love those latin shoes :shock: but I digress :lol: I felt as if my dancing was better (maybe having a suede heel rather a thick sole helped :lol: ) I felt as if I walked straighter and danced more technically correct when wearing the shoes 8)

Now, all I have to remember to do is to take my 'Come-Hither Look' with me :lol:

[pygmalion]

does body and appearance effect the way people dance?

Hi megaproto. Are you still around? 8) When I read your question, I thought about body image, meaning, how I perceive myself. If that's what you meant, then, yes, that also affects how I dance.

A couple years ago, I had a medical issue and minor surgery. Between the illness, the medication, the surgery and the recuperation process, I gained about fifteen pounds in about two months. Even though I wasn't, I felt huge and conspicuous. And my self confidence plummeted -- not because I was all that fat. I wore a size ten. I just felt fat (It's a woman thing.) And my dancing shrunk, literallly and figuratively. I didn't want to be seen on the floor.

[megaproto]

does body and appearance effect the way people dance?

Hi megaproto. Are you still around? 8) When I read your question, I thought about body image, meaning, how I perceive myself. If that's what you meant, then, yes, that also affects how I dance.

A couple years ago, I had a medical issue and minor surgery. Between the illness, the medication, the surgery and the recuperation process, I gained about fifteen pounds in about two months. Even though I wasn't, I felt huge and conspicuous. And my self confidence plummeted -- not because I was all that fat. I wore a size ten. I just felt fat (It's a woman thing.) And my dancing shrunk, literallly and figuratively. I didn't want to be seen on the floor.

yes i am still around and always check out thread. Guys also sometimes worry about how they look so :) .... i also want to know... well if specific body cant really do certain dace style... i mean solid build like arnol schwarzeneger however you spell his name and how bout if you are too skinny or too big? which body size is the best for dancing and is there a certain style for certain body type? and how bout if the couple that dance together are both too skinny or too big, or solid?(sorry again english is my second language i only learn english for 2 years... there grammar mistake in here i know! :D )

[Laura]

Any body with any body type can learn to dance and enjoy it. Body type is not and should not be a barrier to participating. Now, when it comes to being judged successful as a performer or competitor, that's a different story. There is a lean aesthetic that is expected, the more so the higher the level you dance at. It's not just a matter of fitness: you can be large and very fit and yet be thought of as too big/bulky to make the right "picture" as a serious performer or competitor.

[MacMoto]

well if specific body cant really do certain dace style... i mean solid build like arnol schwarzeneger however you spell his name and how bout if you are too skinny or too big? which body size is the best for dancing and is there a certain style for certain body type? and how bout if the couple that dance together are both too skinny or too big, or solid?
I can only speak for salsa dancing, but top salsa dancers come in all shapes and sizes -- skinny, big, solid, you name it. Each with own, unique style. So I'd say you can dance and be really good at it whatever your shape, as long as you are fit, healthy and motivated.

[ThatHaitianSwede]

Agreed. I am 6'1 and there's a girl from my school who I practice with a lot, and she happens to be 4'11. Now it is pretty hard sometimes to do arm movements if they're supposed to go over my head, but I accomodate as best as I can, and we can do a pretty good hustle or salsa for that matter.

[Larinda McRaven]

the Troy one is awful! come on... where is the green T-shirt?!
and don't worry about Larinda, she's got something against your flirting, not mine! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

wow, I have been offline for a few days moving, and look at all of the beautiful opportunities I have missed... :lol:

[Vince A]

Remember this . . . "If you dress the part, you'll act the part!"

I hope you are not suggesting that I dress 'mischievously' :roll: :wink: :lol:
Now, all I have to remember to do is to take my 'Come-Hither Look' with me :lol:
Sorry, I missed this comeback P . . .
Yes, I am suggesting that you dress 'mischievously.' It helps me to dance better as well . . . ulterior motive??? Yes! Of course . . .

I love the latin dresses with slits . . . :D

The "Come-Hither Look?" Sexy eyes and how they (the eyes) talk is one of the most sexy things a woman can do!

[mhgroove]

does body and appearance effect the way people dance?

Hi megaproto. Are you still around? 8) When I read your question, I thought about body image, meaning, how I perceive myself. If that's what you meant, then, yes, that also affects how I dance.

A couple years ago, I had a medical issue and minor surgery. Between the illness, the medication, the surgery and the recuperation process, I gained about fifteen pounds in about two months. Even though I wasn't, I felt huge and conspicuous. And my self confidence plummeted -- not because I was all that fat. I wore a size ten. I just felt fat (It's a woman thing.) And my dancing shrunk, literallly and figuratively. I didn't want to be seen on the floor.


Jenn,

I'm sorry that you felt fat after your medicial condition. I have written about body image in previous post a few months ago. But, I must admit as a man...I'm always amazed when a woman perceives her body to be something different than what really is. That perception can really affect her life and lifestyle...including dancing.

I dated a woman who had a body image problem and over the years of our relationship I had to let her know how much I liked and appreciated her curves. It amazes me because in everyday life I see women in all shapes, sizes, and colors and body image I believe is the number one issue for a majority of women. The sad part is something that's so natural(a body) has been turned against women if she isn't right size culturally.

I'm always bothered when we are turned against something that's natural.

Plus, I always loved and dated women with curves!!!! That's my .04 cents!!!!

Marion(aka MHGroove)

[salsachinita]

This is a relevant older thread "Dancer's bodies": http://www.dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?p=13944&highlight=body+image#13944

There should be a few more.......anyone?

[setsuna713]

The sad part is something that's so natural(a body) has been turned against women if she isn't right size culturally.

I'm always bothered when we are turned against something that's natural.


As an interesting side note, I once read a study that the "ideal" weight for women fluxuates with the amount of political power women in general have. IN the 1920's through WWII, women, who were just gaining the right to vote etc, were expected to be very thin, but after WWII, with the return to domestic life of the 1950s, you get a return of the curves. Just a side comment.

[megaproto]

The sad part is something that's so natural(a body) has been turned against women if she isn't right size culturally.

I'm always bothered when we are turned against something that's natural.

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As an interesting side note, I once read a study that the "ideal" weight for women fluxuates with the amount of political power women in general have. IN the 1920's through WWII, women, who were just gaining the right to vote etc, were expected to be very thin, but after WWII, with the return to domestic life of the 1950s, you get a return of the curves. Just a side comment.

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well im 15 and dont have much life experience but different female body type can turn on guys too not just barbie body type.... sometimes i found that barbie body type doesnt really turn me on well of course some do... and sometimes i like flat chested girl and well this new girl i like is flat chested and maybe she also feel ashame of herserlf because she is already 15 but still falt chested. when ppl get near her she could still make ppl become nervous and diff....... especially me. Girls dont worry about your body type... diff body type, can turn on diff guys, see not all guys like barbie-good-looking-britney-spear-hotness well i dont even think britney spear is beautiful. We guys also like girls....... well its depend on our taste diff guys diff taste but there is one thing that all girls must have,


Nice Attitude :wink: nice attitude will get you looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oong way with guys :wink: :roll: (heh im such a gentlemen) but seriously 8) and well its much tougher for us guys to turn girls on, so what do you girls find guys are so interesting and could turn you on... is it in words? or appearance? OH and what kind of kiss you like? well i like lower lip kiss.... :P

[pygmalion]

You may be only fifteen, megaproto, but you've got one thing right, for sure. It's all in the attitude. 8)

[ThatHaitianSwede]

:lol: you're a funny guy megaproto

[Sabor]

well its depend on our taste diff guys diff taste but there is one thing that all girls must have,


Nice Attitude :wink: nice attitude will get you looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oong way with guys :wink: :roll: (heh im such a gentlemen) but seriously 8) and well its much tougher for us guys to turn girls on, so what do you girls find guys are so interesting and could turn you on... is it in words? or appearance? OH and what kind of kiss you like? well i like lower lip kiss.... :P

now i'm no girl megaproto :lol: .. but, i would guess its the same thing.. attitude.. so long u dont fake it :wink:

[squirrel]

:) you've got plenty of attitude, Sabor... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Sabor]

now i'm not sure if u mean that in a good/bad way.. but i'm going to take that as a big smack fat juicy compliment anyway! :lol:.. merci :mrgreen: