ADVICE FOR DANCERS.

Q I'm a fourteen-year-old dancer who's been on pointe for about a year. My problem is that I chicken out doing pirouettes on toe. What's wrong with me?

Clueless 

A Nothing! Many young dancers feel nervous about turning, especially on toe. According to a faculty member at the School of American Ballet, your problem could be lack of strength. Or you may not be spotting correctly. Ask your teacher for help. Then practice pirouettes at the barre. As time goes by, your confidence should improve.

Q In the September issue you told Jewel, a fifteen-year-old girl, that stretching for turnout should occur before age thirteen, I'm almost fourteen. Is all hope of better turnout lost for teens like me?

Turning In, in Maine

A It's always good to start stretching in childhood. Luckily, you can continue to mold your skeleton as long as you're still growing. If that's the case with you, it isn't too late to get more rotation in your hips. Later on, regular stretching will maintain your flexibility.

Q What exactly is cellulite? I've got it all over my thighs but I'm not overweight. Can I get rid of it by avoiding certain foods? I don't want to go anorexic.

Kara

A I wish I knew of a solution for cellulite, but I don't. Cellulite occurs when pockets of ordinary fat push out between the fibers that connect underlying tissues to your skin. The cause can be age, weight, genes, or all of the above. While cosmetic surgeons hope to perfect a technique to get rid of that orange-peel look, no surgery is without risk. Fortunately, you can improve your muscle tone with a Pilates-based exercise program two to three times per week.

Q I'm a recovered anorexic who's still obsessed with being thin. Every day I compare my body to other dancers, which distracts me from what I love--ballet. Is there a "right" dancer's body? How do professional dancers eat? What can I do to get over my problem?

Confused But Trying

A No dancer has a perfect body--even among the pros. So try not to compare yourself to others, which will just make you feel insecure. You should also eat a balanced diet (see my article, "Appearance and Health: A Sensible Approach to Weight Loss" in the November 1997 issue); otherwise you could hurt your health and career. Research shows that an increasing number of girls are developing rickets from low-fat diets, leading to defective bone growth. Dr. Michelle Warren, the medical director of the Center for Menopause, Hormonal Disorders, and Women's Health in New York City, now recommends a 400-unit supplement of vitamin D if you're ingesting less than 40 grams of fat a day. Likewise, poor nutrition can lead to stress fractures by causing amenorrhea (no menses for at least three months). In your case, the best way to get over your problem is to meet regularly with an eating disorders specialist.

Q In your new book, Advice for Dancers, you say that it is unhealthy to start pointe before the age of thirteen. I was put on toe when I was eight after training since I was two years old. Was my dance instructor wrong?

Tender Toe

A Actually, I never mentioned a particular age to go on pointe because opinions differ on the subject. What I did say is that early pointe work may cause problems down the road. According to our Dance Magazine survey (see the February 1997 issue), dancers who go on toe before the age of twelve later have significantly more hip problems and tendinitis. Yet orthopedists tell me that early pointe work won't hurt the bones in your feet. The School of American Ballet in New York City doesn't allow children to start training until the age of eight, with limited toe work four years later. While I can't say that your instructor was wrong to put you on pointe so early, it's always best to play it safe by waiting until you're older.

Q I was forced to take two and a half months off from dancing because of a torn Achilles tendon. Now I'm twelve pounds heavier. How can I get my weight down, while improving my muscle definition and feet?

Bonnie

A First, it's important to work closely with your physical therapist if you want to get back into shape. You should also ask your doctor about adding an aerobic exercise like swimming to your regime. This activity will burn calories and lower your genetic set point for weight. A nutritionist can also help you lose weight during your recovery.

Q I'm a fifteen-year-old girl with a lot of problems. As you'll see from my photos, my thighs are huge, my bottom is large, I'm short, and I have really bad feet. My boyfriend hates how I complain because he thinks I'm perfect the way I am. But my body makes me feel out of place and depressed in dance class. Please help!

Holly from Kansas

A How about giving yourself a break? Physical traits like your height are out of your control. And the photos of your thighs, buttocks, and feet don't look bad to me. Of course, all dancers can improve by working correctly. It also pays to study several techniques to increase your chances of success. So please, stop being hypercritical. It won't help your dancing, and it can do serious damage to your body image and self-esteem.