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Major body image crisis :(
Hey, Veeners, I am in the middle of a nasty few days of self-doubt and bad bad bad body image. I have been poking around youtube for pole inspiration and new combo ideas, and I feel like I've been inundated with images of dancers with Barbie doll bodies…. and it's sucking me down. I'm not necessarily talking about teeny tiny skinny dancers, I'm talking about bikini model types, all boobs and abs and legs and perfect tiny round butts.
There's more background to this, it's been coming and going for years…. but suffice to say that right now, I could really, really, REALLY use some links to vids with creative movers who don't have sculpted abs and legs that go on for miles. Any other short-torsoed, short-legged, densely packed dancers out there? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_confused.gif I need inspiration but it's not healthy for me to keep watching videos of women with perfect bodies.
Ugh. I hate it when I get all fragile like this! Normally I'm so well-adjusted lol.
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27 Replies
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I'm sorry to hear you are feeling down with this issue right now. I have body image issues from time to time myself and it drives me bonkers for many reasons.
Nekia aka 'Dangerous' is absolutely gorgeous!!! I love fluid and sensually she moves her body.
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@polergirl – sorry you’re feeling blue. Just wanted to tell you that I love watching YOUR videos for inspiration. You have a very natural, sensual flow, and I think you are absolutely gorgeous.
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Polergirl, I was JUST thinking/wondering about you this morning. I love your vids too, sooooo much. Sarah Holborow is one I've always liked: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSK3aMbtP1w
I go through periods of self doubt too. Sometimes I feel like 'if only I didn't have this or this to worry about, I'd be so free from worry and (self) judgment.' But when I look at my students, who are all different sizes, I only admire and love their movements. It's so hard to do the same for ourselves sometimes….
XOXO!!
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I am short, large boned, broad shouldered, and depserately trying to shed 20 lbs. You are not alone.
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have you watched anything by rhiannan nichole?
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Polergirl I don't know why you would have body issues! I think you have a rocking hot body and no dancer with barbie doll bodies should ever make you feel less than worthy of strutting your stuff!
One of my favorite videos is actually done by a dancer by the name of Jamilla Devilla. She's beautiful even if she's not barbie doll perfect. I love her thighs and how her abs are not chiselled and perfect. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXXw8JFEzbA
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Amy–I stalk Rhinanna Nichole obsessively. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif She was one of my very first youtube idols. Her flow is otherworldly. When she took a long break I was upset like I'd just found out the Easter Bunny isn't real. Then she came back and I was all https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif and https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_heart1.gif. (PS – I'd feel that way if you left too. So don't. K?)
Ladies, I appreciate your responses to this thread SO much. Please know that I'm not trolling for compliments. I honestly am looking for inspiration that comes in something other than a size 6. I word hard for the body I've got and I'll keep working hard, but effin' body image issues are a tough nut to crack, KWIM?
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aww dont feel bad you def have a beautiful body! ppl on youtube have been dancing for like ever and thats prob just what the pole did for their bodies. im going thru a little something myself. i use to be a little bigger. an im finally getting to where i want to be… but all of a sudden im hearing ppl say about girls that are my body type ( oh shes too skinny, i like meat, id break her) i didnt want to be concidered too skinny bc i loe having the big hips an i dont wanna let that go lol, since they look great for bellydancing, but i notice im happy with where i am, an i shouldnt care what ppl think… bc the things i do ( belly and pole dance and yoga) will change my body.. an theres nothing i can do about it. Enjoy your body when your dancing =) youll come a long way with confidence. The girls i bellydance with, all have different body shapes. theres my teacher who is SUPER skinny… Rock hard abs…. Theres me, thin, big hips, thick in certain areas…. and there are some students that are bigger than me. I love love LOVE that alot of the dancers all have different body shapes, heights. Its very interesting to watch. If everyone looked the same it would just be boring to me. I love how everyones different…. and you are def one that i like to watch for sure =)
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I LOVE Rhainnin! She is so nice and an amazing athlete and teacher. In addition to her physical studios she also offers online instruction. Wow!
Polegirl, definitely know what you mean. I hope that this bout of body image passes quickly and even if it doesn't…. keep in mind that you are amazing and beautiful just as you are. I enjoy your vidoes and your dance style. Body image stuff really just sucks.
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Oh Polergirl!!!!! I enjoy watching your videos, you ARE sexy, I've always thought that. Have you looked around on here, we've got some lovely ladies posting. I find my inspiration watching videos here and you've been one of those who've inspired me! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif New tricks are ok, but honestly I would rather just see a nice heartfelt performance.
I met someone the other day and she has a blog you might wanna check out if your feeling low. She became a member here "Wrinkletalk" ……. I just have to get her on a pole. Here's her blog http://diaryofawrinkle.com/ https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif
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While she has abs, Rafaela Montero is shorter and squat and ridiculously muscular. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASHgo9U6sS8
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otherworldly is a great way to describe it. absolutely ridiculous.
can i ask– do you feel like your body is holding you back from doign things that you wnat to do, or do you feel down on teh way that you look when you dance? mabye both, but can you distinguish the difference?
<3 to you too 🙂
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Polergirl- You are super sexy. I love watching your videos. You’re body is gorgeous!!!!
I had a similar issue just a couple of months ago. I started losing weight in my chest and tummy but my booty and legs stayed the same. My arms got HUGE (I’ve always been a swimmer too-so add pole in the mix and BOOM! Huge guns!)I felt super disproportionate. I was upset because I always loved my large breasts and my tummy. But I soon realized that I love the way pole makes me FEEL. Not necessarily how it makes me look. Im in the best shape of my life. And I’m beginning to look at my body more like the well-oiled machine that it is instead of a perfectly proportionate barbie doll. I’m far more confident now, though sometimes I still have moments of weakness. We are beautiful machines!! Be proud 🙂
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I just wanted to say thank you for posting this. I've been struggling badly with similar issues…sometimes I even wonder if I'm trying to be something I'm not with poling. I LOVE the sexyness, strength, confidence and all that. Buuuuut…I never look on my video camera the way I feel in my heart or look in my mind. Does that even make sense? I hate even admitting that I struggle with this. grrr.
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Great post! Although pole dancing has given me so much confidence, I often struggle back and forth with similar issues. Long torso, short legs, no booty, older than the average poler, always feeling awkward trying, to keep up with my 20 something year old classmates that are younger than my kids… But remember, you’re out there doing things that many people wouldn’t even dare to try. You’re beautiful, strong and sexy…on or off the pole!
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