-
Plus Sized Dancers
-
I think my biggest barrier in class was in learning the more advanced moves… I always felt guilty for being a bigger girl (size 16), and having the instructor have to push my extra weight up the pole when learning an invert or a climb…
Beyond that, I never really noticed if I was the biggest girl in my class… but some of my classmates did tell me later on when I was the first one to brave the pole shorts and a tank top on the very first day of class (and do so with confidence, might I add!), that I inspired them to open up and "strip down" (to pole shorts) as well…
As for accomplishing certain tricks, I don't feel that spins are really that affected by a girls weight… in class there were several spins that most everyone else got that I just could not get (at S it was the ballerina… I think at Veena it's called the front hook), but then there were other tricks that completely clicked… and had little or nothing to do with weight or size… everyone's body moves differently, and anybody, plus sized, or micro sized, has to figure out in which plane or frame of mind their body WANTS to move… I can now do the ballerina, but it will never be **MY** move and will always feel awkward and unnatural because that's not how my body wants to spin…
Transitions: not even a problem! More so than the skinny girls in my class, I actually excelled at floorwork and transitions… but I have a strong dance background, so I may have to be ejected from this topic… 😛
Conditioning: S Factor has a phenomenal warmup with each class, and I really found that sufficed… I progressed at just about the same rate as the rest of my class with minimal modifications (though, the plank just is not my friend and my butt just refuses to lift off the mat! :P)
I will agree that split grip moves are more difficult, but as a pole-lefty, and with nerve damage to my left arm, I can't tell if it's more difficult because of that silly ulnar nerve of mine, or from the weight… And, might I add… I have a VERY loose right shoulder (I roll over in bed and it dislocates), and even when I was initially learning as a pole-righty, I never felt that I might pop it out or do any damage because of my weight… the body knows how and when to compensate… 🙂
I hope this helps… 🙂
-
In my opinion it is better not to mention the weight issue, because trust me us plus size women already know it is a bit of a limitation or challenge. I am between a size 12 & 14 and when I started I had absolutely no upper body strength but after two months it is getting better. My teacher is always saying we need to slim you down because it is slowing you down. Or you should come to Zumba so we can get some of that weight off, as you lose weight it will get easier. Or my favorite was a wrist sit was hard for me because of my short arms and big thighs. Anyway as you can see I have a mental tape running of all these comments that were not meant in a mean way and it is pretty much making me want to quit. I have a pole at home and I can do a variety of spins, pole sit, crucifix, climb a little, and almost invert but I know if I just work on it at home I won't achieve as much. Anyway I just think it is safer to let your students vent their insecurites and frustrations but just be reassuring don't bring up weight.
-
mcuellar, OMG, seriously your teacher says these things? How are these not meant in a mean way? Unless you are in a bootcamp type class where the instructors are supposed to be a pain in the butt I would seriously talk to this instructor or the owner.
-
I’m not plus size, but in teaching I learned that it helps to show all modifications for a move to the whole class that might make it easier for my plus size students so they didn’t feel like I was putting a limitation on them. For instance I figured out that plus size women almost always had an easier time with learning to pole sit and grip with the legs when I showed both a crossed at the knee and crossed at the ankle ways to sit on the pole. What surprised me was that it wasn’t just the plus sized women who had it easier this way. For some of my girls of all sizes they’ve always been more comfortable doing a pole sit with the feet crossed at the ankle. And it looks nice, so I really don’t care about making them try to cross at the knee.
Similarly, I always showed grounded spins, using the least amount of momentum possible to start. Not only did that help my plus sized students, but it was also less intimidating to those who were just really scared to “let go.” Those who weren’t as scared tended to just go for the spin all on their own if they felt ready.
They key for me was just making sure that I wasn’t offering variations in a way that implied I was teaching a different class for the plus sized students. Often times I’d have a plus sized student get a spin on the first try and it would be a more “athletic” student who would have a harder time with it.
-
Unfortunately she is the owner so I can't really complain. She always says it in a concerned way but it is still embarassing especially when it is in front of other people. I don't know maybe I am just being too sensitive but it sure has lowered my morale! I think I will be taking my business somewhere else at the end of the month.
-
Read this: http://aerialamy.com/blog/2011/11/28/gaslighting/
Maybe leave her a copy.
-
Mcuellar – OMG, your teacher needs to learn to filter her mouth! What a loon! I don't care what her status is, that is highly inappropriate.
-
Those comments of that teacher/owner are completely inappropriate!!! In front of other students too?!?
If it feels right to you to leave the studio… do so. : (
-
I will read everyone's repsonses in a sec BUT
Mcuellar – WHAT?!?!?! Are you serious?!?! OMG! that is soooo beyond rude! I started this thread because some of my plus sized students were making comments about themselves that made ME uncomfortable and I didn't like that they were feeling that way and wanted advice on teaching better and making those girls FEEL as beautiful as they ARE!
That makes me beyond angry!!!!!!!!!!! I am so sorry you are having to hear things and feel things that make you want to give up but PLEASE DON'T. Is there any place else you can go? Keep at your moves, it takes time – some things come easier than others but you CAN do it. I want to just give you a really big hug right now and I hope you walk away from this thread feeling the love and support you should be getting from your instructor!!!!!!!
-
@Charley thanks you are very sweet ! I know my situation is a little different so I don't want you to think that I was implying you were being insensitive, just offering a warning about a dangerous subject! LOL There is another studio that I have taken classes at and they always promote that their poles have no weight limit and they are for all sizes, it wasn't a consideration for me at first because I only weigh like 160(I am short), but now I am realizing they are much more sensitive. I will be making the switch to the new studio after the holidays.
-
I am not a big girl now… But I was….
I would prefer someone talk honestly with me and not skirt the issue. For me my instructor hlping me vercone my challenges would be a plus. However I am like that in all things. Be straight up with me, if you can’t we don’t have a relationship… I am aware some people are not. I am in upper management and think its like with my employees, you need to tailor our approach to the individual. Anyway I think you are amazing and know you would never intentionally hurt anyone. I think if a message comes from a caring place *most* people are receptive.
-
I know im always worried that my instructor wont be able to spot me well b/c I am twice her size. Sometimes I just need someone to gently spot me. I love what your doing Charley!
When I first started having issues with doing the basic invert, I went straight to Jessalynn after class and asked what can I do at home to help. Some women will be straight forward and ask you what they need to do, others may feel a bit scared to ask.
You may want to give the girl some encouragement after class, that may open her up to express where shes stuck at. Thats your opening to offer some advice.
-
I'm 6 feet tall — 250 pounds. I wear about a size US 16-18. I have been pole dancing for 2 years but still consider myself barely an intermediate dancer. I can muscle into some moves purely by throwing myself into it. I always worry about squishing my spotters (my instructor is 59 years old…five feet tall and probably under 100 pounds). I actually decided to start pilates a few months ago to strengthen my core before inverting anymore (and am getting close). I want to do it the right way. As for talking about a person's weight, each person is different. I talk about my size because its clearly obvious. But many overweight people become invisible and talking about their weight is really difficult. Maybe have a few websites or blogs that you enjoy (both larger dancers and not) and have a suggested reading list? I know all about making comments about myself (I call myself Shrek, my instructor calls me a Twirling Viking Warrior). Just being positive and supportive of your larger dancers will make them appreciate and love you. I love you already for being so sensitive to it! 🙂
-
Oh yeah…as for moves…I do fine with most of the basic spins…even fireman (which we call fairy) and chair. I also use what I call "footies," like a foot bra to help with transitions on the floor. My hip started hurting after I started pole and I thought maybe it was because I was having to push my hips so hard when I was trying to dance. The footies have padding under the ball of my foot but leave my toes, arch and heel bare so I still have traction and don't slip. Getting up "pretty" from the floor is also an issue for me. Every larger dancer has their own issue with this. For me, its my hips that hurt. For others, it might be their knee. But helping us find a way to get up without looking like a cow is really nice. I finally have two ways of standing up without feeling fat. 😀
-
Hey Charlie…I swing anywhere from an 10 -12 at any given time but I am only 5ft 3in on a good day 🙂 I don't want to be called out about my weight…oh and I have – by a VERY well known dancer/teacher/performer/studio owner in LA – and I know she didn't mean it in a bad way but a) it was my first class at her studio and b) saying to HER STUDENTS "size doesn't mean anything big girls can pole too!…look at her – she's doing shoulder mounts and inverts – would you show them some stuff so they can see bigger girls can pole" was just WRONG and embarrassing uggg lol. That being said it kinda makes me nuts – friggen nuts when teachers try to gloss over the age issues or weight issues, a dose of reality tempered with extreme caring and understanding is needed. The reality is that at an older age and a heavier weight it is going to be harder for certain people (not all) to do certain things. I like it when a teacher can acknowledge that without making you feel like crap – I’m sure you can JI truly think it is all about teaching modifications on different moves. I’m gonna email you something too.
Log in to reply.