Why I QUIT Ballet as a Professional Dancer 🩰 Ex Ballerina on Body Image, Injuries & Quitting

Comments · 87

• SA

  @sarahgav · 2 years ago · pinned

  Are you a dancer? Let me know in the comments!😄

  55

• CY

  @cynhanrahan4012 · 2 years ago

  I'm now age 65. I had to stop dancing at around age 20 due to injuries. Back then, eating disorders were also rampant, and I wasn't eating enough to rebuild my muscle and connective tissue. I remember being praise because the ribs in my upper chest below my collarbone showed. My dance career actually started at around age 3. I had a dance mom. I was doing extreme flexibility exercises before my bones were anywhere near hardening. My knees were what forced me to quit. Now, well actually starting about 20 years ago, I have severe arthritis in my spine due to hyperflexation. I could make a list. My doctors say my spine looks like I played professional football, and are mostly appalled when I tell them it was ballet.

  259

• 2L

  @2lovelive1laugh · 2 years ago

  I loved dance, still do but the culture is so severe and unhealthy. Part of me feels I could never train up to be a dancer again now that I’m 27 and stopped dancing due to the pandemic.. but you’re story gives me hope and grace that dance can still be a passion even if it’s not a career. Thank you so much for sharing your story!

  45

• YU

  @yujuti8416 · 1 year ago

  Watching all these “why I quit ballet” stories make me want to know what those current pro dancers think about their life. Do they have someone saying something mean to them on a regular base? How do they deal with that? Do they love their body? Are they happy at all? Why didn’t they quit?

  117

• ST

  @stressmuffin · 2 years ago

  I had to watch this video, because ballet class in my dance school was one of the worst moments as a preteen in the 1980’s, because of the bullying & fat shaming by the lead ballet dancer of the dance school.

  13

• HA

  @hajiafatimohammed7774 · 1 year ago

  When i started dancing at the age of 8 i felt like i was a star bcs i had it coming i was the best in 1 moment i felt tired but even if i want to quit it is still calling me back and i had to go for it,i learnt a lesson that as you grow up things get harder for you but i struggled a lot and i know people that are just starting will have to work harder in thier flexibility and strength.

  7

• DO

  @domynique · 2 years ago

  I am a dancer, and a founder of a new dance company 💕 I’ve been a part of companies my entire life. And we hope to completely change the culture 💕🥺🤸🏿‍♀️

  99

• TS

  @Tstewart9100 · 1 year ago

  As a parent of a teen dancer, I very much appreciate your explanation of how you came to your decision to leave ballet. From a parent's perspective, I always feel somewhat baffled by how much dancers sacrifice to do what they do. It's often challenging to be "supportive" of your child, while also attempting to keep them grounded and in touch with what the reality is. And the reality is... the career of a dancer is so, so hard and to remain mentally sound in facing the challenges is just a completely different level of hard. So, your words will stick in my soul as I continue to navigate this experience as a parent; helping me to keep proactive and aware of the environmental and physical challenges faced - and do my best to to support my kid. Thanks, again for sharing so candidly. This perspective REALLY needs to be out for all to know.

  82

• CA

  @camcat26 · 2 years ago

  I started dance as an adult after years of other sports. It has taught me a TON about the human body. I seriously recommend ballet to everyone. My mom’s doctor told her to work on her balance? Ballet class. New lifter at the gym struggling with the biomechanics? Ballet (I’m met so many fitness professionals who can clock a dancer from one rep). Guy friend stuck in a social or fitness rut? Ballet. Unrelated: I had a ballet teacher who told us that ballet dancers have a tendency to shrink to the back and try to blend in with each other, while musical theater dancers will literally shove each other out of the way for a more visible spot

  36

• GA

  @gabbyjunak4475 · 1 year ago

  im not a professional or even a great dancer at all, but i’ve danced at a nice recreational dance studio my whole life. i recently decided to quit dance as well. this decision came from many things that have happened to me over the years as well as an injury to my back. between my stress fractured back and my passion for dance slowly leaving and it feeling like a chore to go to class i decided that it might be best to not dance. i’m still young so i can always go back but for now im gonna focus on other aspects in my life and heal the parts of me that are broken already. love to all you guys who have decided the same for different reasons 🩷🩷

  4

• AN

  @angiebear8727 · 2 years ago

  When I was young after my first competition in Boston (in the 90’s) I developed an ED. Thought I was fat. Weighed 95 lbs and was 5’3”. I worked out and danced and ate very little for years but could never lose my butt. My entire life was about dance. I worked to have money to travel. Was almost solid muscle. Have danced with broken toes, small fractures in my feet, ect. Developed MS in my mid 20’s. It took me years to teach myself how to eat healthy and MS made it impossible to over exercise. My dream was over and though my lifestyle was completely unsustainable I still miss it. I can say I am happy today.

  36

• JO

  @jordan.london · 2 years ago

  Hey Sarah! I felt everything in this video… my story isn’t the exact same but it definitely bears some resemblance. Thanks for sharing ❤

  21