A Dancer's Image
Document Type
Poster
Event Website
https://source2022.sched.com/
Start Date
16-5-2022
End Date
16-5-2022
Keywords
Body Image, Mirrors, Dancer
Abstract
Dancers are amazingly dedicated athletes who train for hours a day to try and perfect their craft. In doing so, they can become hyper focused on the details, picking apart every aspect of themselves and their technique. With so much time spent training, it can be difficult to take a step back and analyze the role the mirror plays in a dancer’s training and everyday life. There are many factors that can affect a dancer's body image, including the social environment between educators and peers, social standards and social media, dance clothing, and so much more. This report will look specifically at how the mirrors can be a hindrance to female collegiate dancers by paving a way for mirror gazing and body checking. With this information, it is hoped to show the difference in quality and overall well-being when dancing with the mirror opposed to dancing without the mirror. This information can also provide instructors with the knowledge and awareness of the effects of mirror gazing and body checking in students. Instructors will then be able to use this information to determine new methods of using the mirror as a positive tool to better help their students. This research will also encourage dancers to have conversations with each other about the importance of mental, emotional health, and body image to create change in the dance community. It is imperative that dance educators set their dancers up for success and use multiple ways of teaching and offering feedback to limit the amount of time a dancer is looking into a mirror. In making mental health a priority, dancers will be able to continue making art and sharing their passion with others.
Recommended Citation
Baker, Sydney, "A Dancer's Image" (2022). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 1.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2022/CAH/1
Department/Program
Dance
Additional Mentoring Department
Dance
A Dancer's Image Video Presentation
A Dancer's Image
Dancers are amazingly dedicated athletes who train for hours a day to try and perfect their craft. In doing so, they can become hyper focused on the details, picking apart every aspect of themselves and their technique. With so much time spent training, it can be difficult to take a step back and analyze the role the mirror plays in a dancer’s training and everyday life. There are many factors that can affect a dancer's body image, including the social environment between educators and peers, social standards and social media, dance clothing, and so much more. This report will look specifically at how the mirrors can be a hindrance to female collegiate dancers by paving a way for mirror gazing and body checking. With this information, it is hoped to show the difference in quality and overall well-being when dancing with the mirror opposed to dancing without the mirror. This information can also provide instructors with the knowledge and awareness of the effects of mirror gazing and body checking in students. Instructors will then be able to use this information to determine new methods of using the mirror as a positive tool to better help their students. This research will also encourage dancers to have conversations with each other about the importance of mental, emotional health, and body image to create change in the dance community. It is imperative that dance educators set their dancers up for success and use multiple ways of teaching and offering feedback to limit the amount of time a dancer is looking into a mirror. In making mental health a priority, dancers will be able to continue making art and sharing their passion with others.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2022/CAH/1
Faculty Mentor(s)
Gabrielle McNeillie