At NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet, we understand the importance of holistic wellness in artistic development. Through our Dance With Us and New Horizons programs, we’re committed to promoting healthy choices among youth dancers nationwide. Our approach is rooted in the belief that artistic enrichment goes hand in hand with physical and mental well-being. By fostering an environment that encourages self-care and body positivity, we empower young dancers to reach their full potential, both on stage and in life.
One way to promote body positivity is to help dancers understand how their bodies work by incorporating the basics of anatomy into our classes. Mary Talmi, NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet Cofounder and Education Director, was fortunate to study Anatomy for Dancers with Dr. Lulu Sweigard at Juilliard. “Learning how the body functions not only helped me as a dancer, but it also taught me how to individualize my teaching approach. Each student deserves individual attention in class. Some students need help finding their turn out muscles, others have natural turnout but lack strength. Knowing the basics of anatomy helps us explain the cues we give to dancers.”
Instructions such as “pull up,” shoulders over hips, and even “turn out” are vague and not easily understood. Unfortunately, when a student doesn’t understand these cues, it can lead to frustration, bad habits, injuries, and, sadly, even a dislike of one’s body. It is very important that dancers understand that differences in the way their bodies look in the mirror does not mean they lack talent. As teachers, we need to provide eye-opening information grounded in anatomy that helps students understand and appreciate their bodies while giving them the building blocks of a strong technique.
Mary remembers a young dancer asking during barre, “How do I turn out?” To answer her question, Mary asked the class to lay down on the floor on their stomachs, legs extended, knees and ankles relaxed. To help them find their deep turn out muscles, she asked them to think along the lines of their leotards (some teachers say bathing suits) and to use these muscles (not their glutes) to slowly draw their heels together and to feel the rotation in their hip sockets. Then she asked them to sit up and with legs extended in front to pull those deep turn out muscles together to rotate the entire leg from the hip sockets to the ankles and feet. Isolating those deep turn out muscles takes practice, but to my relief, the young dancer who had asked the question said, “I never felt that.” She was able to go back to the barre and feel those turnout muscles. Through her years of ballet education, Mary found that introducing floor barre exercises like those developed by pioneer Zenna Rommett is a great way to further a dancer’s education about their own bodies while building core skills.
Social media’s influence on the body image of our youth reinforces the importance of in-person relationships as a tool to combat the negativity being pushed at our kids. Body positivity and helping dancers appreciate their bodies enhances their well-being and brings safety and joy to their dance experience.
At NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet, we believe nurturing the body and mind is key to a dancer’s success. By providing young dancers with the tools to understand and appreciate their bodies, we enhance their technical skills and support their overall well-being. Our commitment to fostering a positive, educational environment through programs like Dance With Us and New Horizons reflects our dedication to holistic wellness. As we gear up for youth auditions this September, we invite you to take the next step in your child’s dance journey. Sign them up today and join us in creating a supportive, empowering space for the next generation of artists.
