Thread: Would a teacher deny a plus-sized dancer?

Once again, sorry if this already came up, but I couldn't find it in search. .w.:

Anyhow, I am a bigger than most dancer. My last instructor did not complain about size, age, etc. as long as you were doing it right. She taught me for 7 years.

I am moving to Phoenix, AZ this Sunday and I am quite nervous as to what a new instructor will say about my weight. I feel like she will deny me services. ..l;, I don't know. I know if I start up ballet again, that would definately be the case. It isn't that I don't want to lose weight, I just don't want to have to lose it, before I start dancing again.

What do teachers think about this, am I worrying over nothing? ,r:; Guess I got use to a good thing.

Have any plus sized dancers experienced any negativity towards their weight, by their instructors? What did you do about it?

Hi,

I'm a plus size dancer also and here in San Francisco at least nobody seems to care. My teacher, Monica, cares if you are getting it, not size or age.

Bluntly, if you wanted to join a commercially oriented troupe, size might be an issue. But I doubt most teachers are going to care, as long as you are trying.

Being a plus-sized dancer, (and having recently moved and started classes with a new teacher), I can sympathize with you. However, I think you're worrying about something that is non-existent yet. If you had already gone to a class and the teacher made you feel uncomfortable about your weight, that would be a different story. Get the negative messages and feelings out of your head and give your future teacher a chance. Unless you're auditioning to be a BDSS, your weight has absolutely nothing to do with your dance and any teacher that treats it otherwise shouldn't be teaching anyway.

But that's just my opinion, of course. ..g.:

Hi,
No, I definitely think you're worrying about nothing. I'm a teacher, as many of my friends, and I can tell you that the 'issue' of plus size dancers just doesn't arise. As Catwomyn says, size or age just doesn't matter, once you're trying - and having fun trying too! If a teacher is giving you a hard time over weight, well he/she really shouldn't be teaching. Good luck with your new classes.

I just want to offer my support and encourage you to attend classes and to dance and not to wait until you lose the weight. That whole mindset of "When I lose the weight, I'll.... fill in the blank" is seductive but very deceptive. It keeps people stuck.

I recently lost a lot of weight that I had been trying to lose for years, and I can tell you that going to dance classes helped save my life. I mean it. I was in a downward spiral and getting more and more unhealthy. Dancing helped pull me out of it.

I don't think any teacher worth her salt is going to give you any grief about being in her class. Go for it. And if the teacher isn't supportive, find another one. But I don't think that will be necessary.

Hang in there, moving is stressful.

A teacher who would refuse to teach a plus-sized dancer is not a serious, professional teacher, in my opinion - thus, not someone you'd want in any case.

I think the vast majority of teachers welcome students of all ages, sizes, ethnicities, etc.

You might check out potential teachers' websites to look for red flags, though. There is one teacher in St. Louis, for instance, who seems almost offended by the idea of larger dancers, But she has posted articles on her website that make her bias really obvious, so she'd be easy to avoid.

Maybe you can attend a couple of haflas in your new town before you start classes? That would give you a feel for each instructors' style, let you see her student base in person, and help you find the best fit overall. I think you can learn a lot by watching a group of students getting ready to dance, or right after dancing at a hafla. Are they dead serious or are they laughing? Do they hug each other and seem friendly? Is their teacher with them before & after, is she smiling and clapping while they dance?

Try to shift your focus -- you're the customer here. It should be about whether a new instructor can fit into what you want, not the other way around!!!

As usual, Lauren's got great advice!

Yeah...I agree with Lauren. Check out the local scene before committing to just one teacher. You'll find the person that "speaks" to your style and philosophy.

And RAK ON!! Plus sized dancers are amazin'!!!

Originally Posted by bdaddiction

Once again, sorry if this already came up, but I couldn't find it in search. .w.:

Anyhow, I am a bigger than most dancer. My last instructor did not complain about size, age, etc. as long as you were doing it right. She taught me for 7 years.

I am moving to Phoenix, AZ this Sunday and I am quite nervous as to what a new instructor will say about my weight. I feel like she will deny me services. ..l;, I don't know. I know if I start up ballet again, that would definately be the case. It isn't that I don't want to lose weight, I just don't want to have to lose it, before I start dancing again.

What do teachers think about this, am I worrying over nothing? ,r:; Guess I got use to a good thing.

Have any plus sized dancers experienced any negativity towards their weight, by their instructors? What did you do about it?

Disclaimer - I'm not a teacher but....I think that any teacher that would have issues with your weight probably has issues/insecurities with her own. If you find an instructor that is happy with who he/she is then there should be no problem. I hope that you find an awesome new teacher and class...happy dancing.

Lauren and Dunyah both had great responses and I also like Cferhat's response--if a teacher would deny you access to her classes/teaching based on size, she's not really a professional, in my mind.

Most teachers welcome plus sized students. I personally love having students of a range of sizes, shapes and ages in class. (For one thing, students quickly learn it's not always the young little "skinny minnies" who catch on fastest or look best doing certain moves. :-) I've heard the "oh I'll do it when I lose x-many pounds," too many times before, and the previous poster was dead on--don't go there. You'll only talk yourself out of something that's good for you. Besides, you deserve to dance just as much when your weight is 10lbs up as when it's 10 lbs down...maybe even more!

In my experience, most instructors will not look at you as a weight or as a size, they'll look at you as a student and they'll look at your body mechanics and how to make the moves happen on your body, but it will be about how the body moves, not how it looks. And even the other students aren't usually looking at each other judging size--they're usually far too busy worrying about their own bodies and coordination.

So much as you don't want to be judged poorly on size, try not to judge your new instructor before you even find and meet her. Check out different instructors in your new area, find one whose dance style and instructional approach seems to be one you like, and then call her up or go to class and see if it's a good fit. If so, there you go! If not, or if you're not comfortable seek someone else. But don't psych yourself out over your body. Plus size dancing can be a beautiful, beautiful thing.

Hugs! And happy dancing!

The only people I try to discourage from my class are those with disagreeable attitudes.

Your weight is no more of an issue than your age, nationality, color of hair, number of piercings or tattoos you may have..

Doesn't matter.

Originally Posted by cassiopeia

The only people I try to discourage from my class are those with disagreeable attitudes.

Your weight is no more of an issue than your age, nationality, color of hair, number of piercings or tattoos you may have..

Doesn't matter.

I love that Cassiopeia...

I haven't lived in AZ for a long time but as far as I remember, the dance community there is quite friendly. Check out Yasmina's page which has a ton of teacher listings. I'm sorry I don't remember the URL but if you do a search on Yasmina AZ Bellydance, I'm sure her website will come up.

I've never been turned off by or have never turned away a plus-sized dancer. Being a minus-sized dancer, we have issues on either end of the spectrum. I agree with what's been mentioned above. And it sounds like you have quite an education under your belt already so many teachers would welcome someone with your amount of dance experience.

Good luck and remove those worries! The universe will provide you with a gifted teacher. :0)

As in the rest of life, the majority of are teachers are total professionals- but sometimes you will find prejudiced people. As others have said, if you do find it, it's best avoided.

Originally Posted by aamel_MirahAmmal

In my experience, most instructors will not look at you as a weight or as a size, they'll look at you as a student and they'll look at your body mechanics and how to make the moves happen on your body, but it will be about how the body moves, not how it looks. And even the other students aren't usually looking at each other judging size--they're usually far too busy worrying about their own bodies and coordination.

Very well said! I'm totally in agreement with the above statement.

Don't worry until it happens. If it does then you don't want to work with that teacher any way.

Personally, I'll take anyone who can manage the flight of stairs to my studio - and then I leave it to the student to decide they need to do something. Only happened once. Student has lost about 50kg and is now able to make the stairs (and travel sideways)

Well, I'm a plus sized dancer and a teacher! I wouldn't dream of turning a student away for anything but a bad attitude.

Angie

Originally Posted by cassiopeia

The only people I try to discourage from my class are those with disagreeable attitudes.

Your weight is no more of an issue than your age, nationality, color of hair, number of piercings or tattoos you may have..

Doesn't matter.

Bingo!

Thanks you guys. Great advice. I thought I might not be the only dancer wondering this.

Bhuz rocks!

One of my dance teachers told me to think about it like this: no one in their right mind would deny teaching any respectful student. It's losing money, if anything.

I'm a 4'10, thin student who's almost 23. I've been the youngest or among the youngest students in my classes, as well as the thinnest. Most women are older and not that thin. All the larger women have been treated the same way I have.

You'll probably find women of all ages and sizes in your AZ classes.

I can't imagine an instructor turning away a paying student because of how she looks

Have fun and shimmy !!

Beth

echoes to what everyone else has said & best wishes for your move! :)

Originally Posted by kashmir

Don't worry until it happens. If it does then you don't want to work with that teacher any way.

Personally, I'll take anyone who can manage the flight of stairs to my studio - and then I leave it to the student to decide they need to do something. Only happened once. Student has lost about 50kg and is now able to make the stairs (and travel sideways)

Exactly ! All my students have to fill out a fitness to dance form.
That's all I'm concerned about and I address the entire class about their health issues with "see your doctor if you are unsure about your fitness"
Anyway who I am to see off the larger girl?
There's your best bet....... find a BIG teacher!

honestly, your original teacher is not the exception, she's the rule! i teach as well, a good portion of my glass is 'plus size'.....honestly, they're all real women.....some as young as 22, the oldest has been 62, as mentioned before , the youngsters and skinny-minnies usually dropped out quicker, and i'm sure many of the teachers in the area say the same......

i think it would be more advantagious to go in with a positive attitude and a smile....to be comfortable in your own skin, as that will assist you with your fellow students and your new teacher......and may assist you with your weightloss goals as well...............this dance is healing, healthy, and VERY cardiovascular, as i'm sure you're aware, so just keep practicing, and enjoy your new environment and the new friends you'll make

I agree with all the above said from all, and great advices also.
I'm a plus teacher lol and seems that this helped me to have even more students as they dont worry about their own weight when i do my crazy things with my weight lol
So go on girl !!!
I have one thing to say only.
This term I have 2 students both young that are very tall around 1metre 85-90 cm and around 200 kg.
I tryed to make them (they dont know eachother) to come in class (group) but they didnt want at all.
So with them i give privite lessons and they feel more comfortable with them selves. I'm trying all the time to convince them to come in class mostly because of their weight they have isolated them selves from community in general. But to be honnest i understand them in a way, cause after one point of weight some movements canot be done for practical /health reasons:(

Maria Aya

Thanks for the uplifting comments.

Still getting settled into the area, but I found a teacher in Surprise, AZ that I will sign up for classes after April. Can't wait!

That´s great to hear!

Just wanted to add:I was a plus sized dancer in 1998(I´m smaller right now).
My teacher were very welcoming towards me.
I´m so happy I got over my complexes about being clumsy and got myself to that first class.
I will never regret it:)

Just so you know, you are not alone. I start my class in 2 weeks and I am nervous about being bigger than the other gals. The ladies here have made me feel better about it and I just decided what the hell, why not. I also contacted the instructor and talked with her about my feelings and she was very supportive and kind. I will be thinking of you my first night of class. I hope that it goes well for you.

Student has lost about 50kg and is now able to make the stairs (and travel sideways)

Wow, that is some achievement! That's not the same student I met, is it?

Reiterating that size should NOT be a problem for your teacher, and if it is, there's something wrong with your teacher. S/he *may* make references about technical issues in relation to your size (though it should be to you, not about you to the class), but that is not being anti-plus size, that's just being careful of you and your body. I know that the few very large women I have taught typically tend to revert to locked knees, which seems to be in direct relation to helping balance and handle a particularly large and heavy belly, and sometimes also have difficulty keeping their legs as close together as I prefer for some moves for the same reason - balancing a very big torso - and I must say I'm never quite sure how to strike a balance between preferred and safer technique, and the structural needs of that particular body, other than working on core strength.

To be honest though, most of the moderate to very big women I have taught are actually quite able right from the start and are often better movers than some thin women. Unless they have a very heavy/pendulous belly they're much less likely to be pelvic droppers than very lean angular women, in my experience. A lot of big-but-not-tall women seem to have quite good posture to start with. And belly dance is a dance that likes a bit of extra on the frame. I bet you anything there will be thin women in your class who look at you and wish their shimmies were as visible, or their hips/cleavage as voluptuous.

If you find a teacher who is rude about your weight, find another teacher. You won't have any difficulty.