Selene
New member
Hello,
<I just guess I needed to get this out of my system, sorry I know it is super long, thanks for taking your time to read this!>
Well, I don't know where to start, but let me just say this is a serious question. In many dance forms being thin is seeing as a virtue, but I am not sure if that is the case with belly dance. I know that in belly dance there is an acceptance for all shapes and sizes, but I still see a preference (and I understand it) for the curvy type, not talking about weight here, just shape. Anyway, I know I probably shouldn't be concerned about this, everyone has a different body shape, and the dance is much more important than the body, but I can't help it, and my wanting to talk about this only grows as I see more and more dancers and learn more about this beautiful form of art.
So, I am thin, very very thin, and I don't only see this as an advantage as many people might think. I used to get a lot of comments from people telling me I need to eat more, that I look like a walking stick, asking if I had eating disorders, telling me many mean things that contributed to a very low self-esteem while I was growing up. I've become a much more confident person after I started university some years ago, and although I am still thin, I dont hear as many comments as before and I really dont care much anymore. I've been in love with belly dance since forever and this year I FINALLY started taking classes, I love them so so so much, I feel confident in class, I think I am learning a lot and that Im a good student (although I should practice more at home >< still getting used to organize my time) but, this thought about being too skinny has been bugging me for long, and I'm afraid it might mess with my confidence. I haven't seen any dancers with a similar body structure to mine (I'll get to that in a moment) and I started to worry because of course I dream of becoming a performer someday and I want to be a good one, and not seeing anyone that reminded me of my own body structure made me think that maybe women that are "too skinny" are not successful in bellydance.
I don't want to have this in my mind, I know it is not good, but I haven't found anything that gives me some hope that I wont be judged more by my body structure than by my dance. I know most of you have been in the bellydance world for much longer than me, so of course you have more knowledge about this subject. What are your opinions about this? How do you think this is seen in the bellydance world, mainly in the performance subject?
Finally, so you have an idea why I am so worried I will explain briefly(I'll try) my body structure: I have LONG limbs but I am only 5'3"(1.60m), my legs and arms give the impression that I am taller, but also thiner, as a consequence I have a short torso oh, and small boobs too. My "curves" are still blooming, but growing up in the caribbean, with a family of women with guitar shaped bodies, I sure look shapeless next to them hahah yes I ahve a small waist, but I have small hips too, so not much shape in there. I weight 90lbs (but I eat healthy, and enough, sometimes more! and I've tried to gain weight but it has been very difficult for me, I just have a very fast metabolism and very very light and thin bones). Now to the bones (T.T) I am not "bonny"" all over, but my arms and hands are, a LOT >< when I am practicing dance I always notice them and try extra hard to make them look softer, if you know what I mean, but elbows have really accentuated angles, and fingers refuse to look relaxed. To add to all of this I am the skinniest in all the dance classes I have been too -.- and usually I have to put some extra effort accentuating the moves so they are noticeable(which can be positive because my body will become stronger I think).
(I said I would try XD, I find it impossible to keep it short lol)
I promise this is honest, whenever I talk about "being skinny" people either say I shouldnt complain or that a real woman has more curves... I am of the kind to think that we should celebrate ALL body shapes, and I think diversity is a beautiful thing and as long as a woman is happy and healthy, her body will be beautiful. I just hope the belly dance comunity around the world also accepts diversity with open arms.
<I just guess I needed to get this out of my system, sorry I know it is super long, thanks for taking your time to read this!>
Well, I don't know where to start, but let me just say this is a serious question. In many dance forms being thin is seeing as a virtue, but I am not sure if that is the case with belly dance. I know that in belly dance there is an acceptance for all shapes and sizes, but I still see a preference (and I understand it) for the curvy type, not talking about weight here, just shape. Anyway, I know I probably shouldn't be concerned about this, everyone has a different body shape, and the dance is much more important than the body, but I can't help it, and my wanting to talk about this only grows as I see more and more dancers and learn more about this beautiful form of art.
So, I am thin, very very thin, and I don't only see this as an advantage as many people might think. I used to get a lot of comments from people telling me I need to eat more, that I look like a walking stick, asking if I had eating disorders, telling me many mean things that contributed to a very low self-esteem while I was growing up. I've become a much more confident person after I started university some years ago, and although I am still thin, I dont hear as many comments as before and I really dont care much anymore. I've been in love with belly dance since forever and this year I FINALLY started taking classes, I love them so so so much, I feel confident in class, I think I am learning a lot and that Im a good student (although I should practice more at home >< still getting used to organize my time) but, this thought about being too skinny has been bugging me for long, and I'm afraid it might mess with my confidence. I haven't seen any dancers with a similar body structure to mine (I'll get to that in a moment) and I started to worry because of course I dream of becoming a performer someday and I want to be a good one, and not seeing anyone that reminded me of my own body structure made me think that maybe women that are "too skinny" are not successful in bellydance.
I don't want to have this in my mind, I know it is not good, but I haven't found anything that gives me some hope that I wont be judged more by my body structure than by my dance. I know most of you have been in the bellydance world for much longer than me, so of course you have more knowledge about this subject. What are your opinions about this? How do you think this is seen in the bellydance world, mainly in the performance subject?
Finally, so you have an idea why I am so worried I will explain briefly(I'll try) my body structure: I have LONG limbs but I am only 5'3"(1.60m), my legs and arms give the impression that I am taller, but also thiner, as a consequence I have a short torso oh, and small boobs too. My "curves" are still blooming, but growing up in the caribbean, with a family of women with guitar shaped bodies, I sure look shapeless next to them hahah yes I ahve a small waist, but I have small hips too, so not much shape in there. I weight 90lbs (but I eat healthy, and enough, sometimes more! and I've tried to gain weight but it has been very difficult for me, I just have a very fast metabolism and very very light and thin bones). Now to the bones (T.T) I am not "bonny"" all over, but my arms and hands are, a LOT >< when I am practicing dance I always notice them and try extra hard to make them look softer, if you know what I mean, but elbows have really accentuated angles, and fingers refuse to look relaxed. To add to all of this I am the skinniest in all the dance classes I have been too -.- and usually I have to put some extra effort accentuating the moves so they are noticeable(which can be positive because my body will become stronger I think).
(I said I would try XD, I find it impossible to keep it short lol)
I promise this is honest, whenever I talk about "being skinny" people either say I shouldnt complain or that a real woman has more curves... I am of the kind to think that we should celebrate ALL body shapes, and I think diversity is a beautiful thing and as long as a woman is happy and healthy, her body will be beautiful. I just hope the belly dance comunity around the world also accepts diversity with open arms.