Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 8/5/2008

Question
I'm 17 going on 18 and have danced the Vaganova method of ballet for 12 years.I have lots of expirience,but have been told by some of my teachers that i can't become a professional because of my figure.Yes,it's true,i am rather full in the chest(36 C),wear a size 6 in pants,have big musculer thighs,i'm only 5'3,112 lbs,and knees that go inward.Is it true that because i'm shaped like this i can never become a professional ballerina?

Answer
Hi Virginia. It's true, there is a bias in ballet that rejects most but the long and lithe, meaning skinny. That's just the way it has developed.

You could do a private search of all the smaller companies in your state, or anywhere, and look at the photo galleries or videos on their sites. You need to have something to compare yourself to, and see just how flexible it is out there right now, in terms of body shape.

You could also do some Pilates for a few months and see if you can elongate in the thighs.

I don't if this would help, but here's an article I wrote about developing long muscles:

http://balletshoesandpointeshoes.blogspot.com/search/label/lean

These days some dancers get reductions to get down to a A cup, just for ballet.

Knees that go inward - if your thighs are rotated in naturally, and you have little turnout, that could be a problem. I don't think ballet can change that condition. But if it is just from very flexible joints, strength could fix that. Since I can't see you, I do not know what the exact problem is.

Talk to your teacher again and ask her what exactly you should do to try and change your figure. Tell her you're not willing to give up yet. And then, do what she suggests so that she knows you mean it.

I hope that helps Virginia.