Whoever said that dance was only meant for lean people? Take a look at some of the most admired personalities of today and you’ll realise that one doesn’t need to be thin in order to dance. Take a look at Shakira and her petite frame or Beyonce who is known for her curvaceous figure.
Closer home, we have ace dancer Hrithik Roshan with a well-built body and Shahid Kapoor who surprises you with new dance moves every time he dances on screen. All of them are known for their dancing skills but the most attractive aspect of a good dancer is their shapely, fit and well-toned bodies. All one requires is the ability to be fit and maintain that stamina.
Till a few decades ago, only thin people were advised to take to dancing. This was recommended because of the belief that thinner people could easily be flexible. But times have changed now and people of all sizes and shapes can dance and do a great job if they maintain a fit body. They don’t have to be necessarily thin.
Every dancer has a unique body type and a lot of it is determined by the genes that constitute them. Regardless of this body type, every person who loves to move and is willing to work hard, can dance. The so-called body structure police in the dance world is fading quickly. Many choreographers and dance company owners are employing dancers on the basis of their talent over their body type or looks.
Dance is here to represent the soul through the body — not to get carried away with the aesthetics of the body alone in our image-obsessed culture. Your body type will certainly determine which diet, exercise regime and workload will work best for your dancing. It is best to know which body type you have so you can put it all into perspective as to remain ahead of the game. There are mainly three body types of a dancer.
The Ectomorph
This dancer’s body is usually categorised as a thin/delicate build. They are usually tall and lanky, have have a flat chest and do not gain weight easily. They often have slouchy shoulders, posture problems and have trouble developing muscles. They could have light muscles, and one will not see any trace of fat on the body. If you’re an ectomorph, you most likely need more protein and need to concentrate on body alignment apart from the need to add weight-bearing exercises to your routine.
The Mesomorph
This dancer will have a fit body, well-developed muscle, mature appearance, good posture and healthy skin. They will lose and gain weight easily and develop muscles very easily too. A mesomorph just needs to watch the fat and keep the diet balanced. Consistency is the key for dancers with this body type.
The Endomorph
This type of body type could be a healthy one. Generally the body is round and will hold weight in the stomach area. They also develop muscles easily and have an over-active digestive system due to which they have trouble losing weight. The endomorph needs to work on a good cardio routine apart from dance and needs to have a very lean diet with a lot of protein and vegetables.
No matter what type of body you have, you can be healthy, in shape and can look and dance well. A keen dancer must learn to use his or her body type to their advantage and be in the best shape they can be. And if you still don’t have or have not yet achieved the perfect ballerina body? Then join the club! Just keep dancing your heart out!
Remember, a good dancer is not just about the good body. It is about expression and giving motion to the emotion. It is you and your feeling that we want to see on the dance floor and not your body. People like you and me along with our flaws are beautiful to watch and that’s what real dancing is about.
As long as you enjoy dancing and are comfortable with your body, there is nothing to worry about.