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).

THE SKINNIEST GIRL IN MY DANCE CLASS IS GETTING ALL THE BEST PARTS WHILE EVERYONE ELSE GETS LESS. HOW CAN I KEEP FROM GETTING DOWN ON MYSELF?--EMILY FROM BOURBONNAIS, IL There's no relationship between body weight and talent. Unfortunately, the dance community often showcases the thinnest dancers, sending a dangerous message that starvation leads to success. Yet dancing is extremely athletic, and few anorexics have the stamina to become ballerinas. Organizations such as Dance/USA have issued recent nutritional guidelines recommending that companies set healthy weight goals for emaciated performers based on weight/ height tables. (More than 15 percent below ideal is considered anorexic.) Heavier dancers can see a nutritionist and do aerobics three to five times a week. It also pays to focus on dance techniques that showcase your strengths. For example, if you have a great personality but aren't naturally thin, musical theater might offer more opportunities than ballet.

I'M DETERMINED TO STAY INJURY FREE BY WORKING OUT FIVE DAYS A WEEK AT THE GYM, MY STRENGTH AND STAMINA HAVE IMPROVED, BUT MY KNEES ARE HURTING ME IN PERFORMANCES, WHAT'S WRONG?--ANONYMOUS How about fatigue due to over-training? While cross-training is a great way to reduce injuries, when you begin a busy dance season, exhaustion can do you in-even if you're in great shape. Fatigue is the number-one reason for musculoskeletal injuries in dance. Symptoms of over-training include muscle soreness, mood problems, upper-respiratory infections, and injuries. I encourage dancers to get ten to twelve hours of sleep a night to help their bodies recover from excessive exercise.

LATELY, I'VE DEVELOPED A BAD CASE OF "DANCE FEVER." ALL I WANT TO DO IS DANCE AND NOTHING INTERESTS ME EXCEPT BALLET IS THIS NORMAL? ALSO, COULD YOU REPRINT YOUR ANSWER FROM A PREVIOUS COLUMN EXPLAINING THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF CALORIES FOR DANCING?--DANCE FEVER According to Dr. Ellen Winner, author of Gifted Children: Myths and Realities (Basic Books, 1996), it isn't unusual for dancers to become deeply committed to their work, especially if they've had a "crystallizing" experience, such as seeing an inspiring dance troupe perform. This sense of calling helps you look beyond the immediate blister or missed social event to a higher cause--becoming a dancer. Still, you'll need adequate nutrition to perform at your peak. The International Association for Dance Medicine & Science provides the following formula to determine the minimum caloric intake for your age and weight. First, divide your weight in pounds by 2.2 to convert it into kilograms. Then multiply this number by the suggested calories (kcal) per kilogram (kg) of body weight for your age group (for girls ages 11-14, 47 kcal/kg; ages 15-18, 40 kcal/kg; for women ages 19-24, 38 kcal/kg; ages 25-50, 36 kcal/kg). For example, a 20-year-old, 110-pound female dancer would require 1,900 calories a day to restore the energy in her muscles. An adult male dancer would require 37 to 41 calories per kilogram daily.

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: Linda Hamilton, Ph.D., at 2000 Broadway, PH2C, New York, NY 10023 and read her answers exclusively in DANCE MAGAZINE.