Advice for Dancers.

Former New York City Ballet dancer Linda Hamilton, Ph.D., is a lecturer, a psychologist in private practice, and author of Advice for Dancers (Jossey-Bass). Her biography is included in the Marquis Who's Who of American Women. She has been offering advice to Dance Magazine readers since 1992.

I'M A MALE DANCER IN A COMPANY HERE IN AUGUSTA WHO WANTS TO BE A SUCCESS AT EVERYTHING I DO. YET ALL I DO IS WORRY ABOUT WHAT COULD GO WRONG. AN EXAMPLE WOULD BE ME WANTING TO DO POINTE. PERSONALLY, I THINK IT WOULD BE GREAT. BUT WHAT'S EVERYONE GOING TO THINK? PEOPLE ALREADY SEE ME AS ONE OF THOSE DANCERS WITH A LOT OF "PROBLEMS."--WORRIED IN GEORGIA

Pointe work is unusual for male dancers, although there are certainly roles where men have traditionally donned toe shoes, such as the ugly step-sisters in Cinderella. And some men do take pointe because they believe it strengthens their legs and feet, although some doctors don't agree that it's beneficial. Still, I think the bigger issue is your anxiety, which sounds like it's gone through the roof. Part of it may come from having unrealistic goals, since no one can be successful at everything. You may also be naturally anxious (known as trait anxiety), making you an excessive problem-solver. Whatever the cause, you might consider psychological counseling to help you reduce your anxiety and begin to view things in a more positive light.

MY BALLET TEACHER THINKS I'M LAZY, BUT IT'S NOT TRUE! I KILL MYSELF EVERY DAY IN CLASS TRYING TO DO A NICE FIFTH POSITION. THE PROBLEM IS THAT MY TURNOUT ISN'T AS GOOD AS THE OTHER GIRLS. I'M TIRED OF MY TEACHER BLAMING ME BECAUSE HER FAVORITES ARE BETTER THAN ME WHEN I WORK THE HARDEST. SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE I SHOULD QUIT DANCING.--MARY FROM LONG ISLAND

Before you make any rash decisions, why not find another dance instructor? The reality is that every individual is markedly different, whether you're discussing weight, muscle size, flexibility, or turnout. Dance teachers who understand the human body don't expect students to be clones. Instead, they use their knowledge of anatomy and physiology to help each person reach his or her unique potential. Look for a teacher who treats dancers' physical differences with respect, without resorting to unfair comparisons.

HOW DO YOU HELP SOMEONE WHO WON'T ACCEPT HELP? LAST WEEK I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM MY FRIEND, SAYING SHE'S GONE BACK TO VOMITING TO MAKE HERSELF THINNER. HER MOM IS AWARE OF HER BULIMIA AND IS TRYING TO GET HER TO SEE HER THERAPIST AGAIN. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO?--CONFUSED

You can't fix the problem. However, you can convey hope by encouraging her to seek appropriate treatment. It's not unusual for people with eating disorders to relapse just like other people with addictions. In fact, it's typical to cycle through five stages of change whenever you're confronting a problematic behavior. These stages include: (1) thinking about the problem versus denying its existence, (2) formulating a plan to change your behavior, (3) putting the plan into action, (4) maintaining the healthy behavior, and (5) dealing with relapse. People typically cycle through these stages several times in the process of change.

I'M A 35-YEAR-OLD BALLET DANCER WHO'S LOOKING FOR A SECOND CAREER. I PERFORMED FOR ELEVEN YEARS IN A COMPANY, AND I WANT TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF PROFESSIONAL DANCERS. MY BIGGEST DREAM IS TO ENCOURAGE DANCERS AND ADMINISTRATORS TO WORK TOGETHER IN HARMONY.--WISHFUL THINKING

Former dancers have a lot to offer the dance community--especially if they have credentials! A good example is Deborah Allton, who went to law school while she was still performing leading roles with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet. Now she helps dancers negotiate contracts and settle grievances as the national dance executive at the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA)--a major union for performing artists. For more information about career counseling and funding, AGMA members can contact Susan Davison, the liaison to the Actors Fund, at 212/265-3687. Dancers who qualify can also get free services at Career Transition for Dancers (New York: 212/581-7043; Los Angeles: 323/549-6660; career line: 800/581-2833).

I WAS SO EXHAUSTED DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY ALL I DID WAS SLEEP. MY BODY FEELS GREAT, NOTHING HURTS, AND I HAVE ENERGY. I WISH I FELT LIKE THIS IN DANCE CLASS. ANY TIPS?--MARK FROM NEW YORK CITY

Keep up the good work! Most dancers get by on less than eight hours of sleep, setting them up for burnout. Symptoms that indicate you're burned out include excessive fatigue, chronic upper-respiratory infections, mood problems, and injuries. Burnout is preventable by pacing yourself in class, warming up and cooling down, and sleeping ten hours a night. While getting this much sleep may seem impossible with a busy schedule, you can usually squeeze in an extra hour or two by managing your time more efficiently. For example, dancers with homework could start their work earlier rather than putting it off until the last minute. Late-night phone calls can also be disruptive. Instead, start to relax an hour before bedtime with a hot bath or your favorite music.

Send your questions to: Linda Hamilton, Ph.D., at 2000 Broadway, PH2C, New York, NY 10023 and read her answers exclusively in DANCE MAGAZINE.