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Plus Sized Dancers
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I am not a big girl now… But I was….
I would prefer someone talk honestly with me and not skirt the issue. For me my instructor hlping me vercone my challenges would be a plus. However I am like that in all things. Be straight up with me, if you can’t we don’t have a relationship… I am aware some people are not. I am in upper management and think its like with my employees, you need to tailor our approach to the individual. Anyway I think you are amazing and know you would never intentionally hurt anyone. I think if a message comes from a caring place *most* people are receptive.
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I know im always worried that my instructor wont be able to spot me well b/c I am twice her size. Sometimes I just need someone to gently spot me. I love what your doing Charley!
When I first started having issues with doing the basic invert, I went straight to Jessalynn after class and asked what can I do at home to help. Some women will be straight forward and ask you what they need to do, others may feel a bit scared to ask.
You may want to give the girl some encouragement after class, that may open her up to express where shes stuck at. Thats your opening to offer some advice.
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I'm 6 feet tall — 250 pounds. I wear about a size US 16-18. I have been pole dancing for 2 years but still consider myself barely an intermediate dancer. I can muscle into some moves purely by throwing myself into it. I always worry about squishing my spotters (my instructor is 59 years old…five feet tall and probably under 100 pounds). I actually decided to start pilates a few months ago to strengthen my core before inverting anymore (and am getting close). I want to do it the right way. As for talking about a person's weight, each person is different. I talk about my size because its clearly obvious. But many overweight people become invisible and talking about their weight is really difficult. Maybe have a few websites or blogs that you enjoy (both larger dancers and not) and have a suggested reading list? I know all about making comments about myself (I call myself Shrek, my instructor calls me a Twirling Viking Warrior). Just being positive and supportive of your larger dancers will make them appreciate and love you. I love you already for being so sensitive to it! 🙂
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Oh yeah…as for moves…I do fine with most of the basic spins…even fireman (which we call fairy) and chair. I also use what I call "footies," like a foot bra to help with transitions on the floor. My hip started hurting after I started pole and I thought maybe it was because I was having to push my hips so hard when I was trying to dance. The footies have padding under the ball of my foot but leave my toes, arch and heel bare so I still have traction and don't slip. Getting up "pretty" from the floor is also an issue for me. Every larger dancer has their own issue with this. For me, its my hips that hurt. For others, it might be their knee. But helping us find a way to get up without looking like a cow is really nice. I finally have two ways of standing up without feeling fat. 😀
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Hey Charlie…I swing anywhere from an 10 -12 at any given time but I am only 5ft 3in on a good day 🙂 I don't want to be called out about my weight…oh and I have – by a VERY well known dancer/teacher/performer/studio owner in LA – and I know she didn't mean it in a bad way but a) it was my first class at her studio and b) saying to HER STUDENTS "size doesn't mean anything big girls can pole too!…look at her – she's doing shoulder mounts and inverts – would you show them some stuff so they can see bigger girls can pole" was just WRONG and embarrassing uggg lol. That being said it kinda makes me nuts – friggen nuts when teachers try to gloss over the age issues or weight issues, a dose of reality tempered with extreme caring and understanding is needed. The reality is that at an older age and a heavier weight it is going to be harder for certain people (not all) to do certain things. I like it when a teacher can acknowledge that without making you feel like crap – I’m sure you can JI truly think it is all about teaching modifications on different moves. I’m gonna email you something too.
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Verucablue… that sucks! 10-12… that's not even big. How rude and offensive.
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Hey honey…you can give me a call anytime for my perspective as a curvy dancer/instructor. There's a fine line in approaching women regarding their fitness level be it due to age or weight.
I can tell you for sure…it is STILL 90% mental on how we curvier girls limit ourselves. And just because we don't get a move right away…does not mean we can't do it.
I've been with Mary Ellyn from the beginning…and she has NEVER made me feel as if I was limited due to my weight…and even now as I've shed allot of weight…I'm still curvy and have no problems reiterating to my students that if I can, they can!
You rock for being so cognisant of how sensitive this can get! I commend you! xoxo
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