Advice for dancers.

AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT FORDHAM UNIVERSITY, LINDA HAMILTON, PH.D., IS ALSO A LECTURER, A PSYCHOLOGIST, A FORMER DANCER WITH NEW YORK CITY BALLET, AND AUTHOR OF ADVICE FOR DANCERS (JOSSEY-BASS).

When you danced on pointe, did you have good feet? I've been studying ballet for five years, but I still don't have good arches. It makes me so mad that sometimes in pointe class I actually start to cry, even though my teacher says I am doing very well. What can I do to help my bad feet? I am 12 years old and come from a village called Hotevilla in the Hopi reservation.

Sommer From Grand Canyon, Arizona

Actually, I don't recall what my feet looked like at your age. What's more important, however, is that you find a constructive way to work on your feet without ruining your self-esteem. For example, you could improve your point by increasing the strength of each foot with five to ten single-foot releves, several times a day. It's also possible to gently mold your arches over a tennis ball with your hands for ten minutes, twice a day--as long as your feet are still growing. While neither exercise is a magic bullet, both can help you reach your potential. Meanwhile, try to avoid criticizing yourself in the mirror. Trashing your feet will not build your arches!

I feel like a wimp complaining about my mean teacher. The problem is that if she doesn't stop picking on me soon, I think I'm headed for an emotional breakdown. Every class she behaves the same way, using name-calling, shoving, and humiliation whenever a few of us dancers make a mistake, while her favorites get away with murder. My nerves can't take much more abuse. How can this kind of teaching go on in a reputable school?

Trapped

Personally, I know of many wonderful dance teachers, choreographers, and artistic directors who work well with students and professionals. At the same time, abuse can develop in any relationship of unequal power, especially if these interactions occur behind closed doors. My advice is to get several of your friends together to talk to the director so that no one person is singled out should the director not be supportive. Remember to give specific examples of your teacher's behavior. You might also look at several other schools in case nothing changes. Dance schools are only as good as the quality of their teachers, and word of mouth gets out fast in our close-knit community.

I've lost my motivation to work! Last year, I was totally devoted to dance until my school dropped me from its program. That was a major blow, but I got lucky when I discovered a passion for acting. Now comes the weird part: I can't get myself to practice my acting scenes on a regular basis like I practiced ballet. My parents think I'm wasting my lime, even though I love taking my drama class every Saturday. Are they right?.

Bonnie From Bronxville, New York 

Switching gears is never easy, even if you're madly in love with your new vocation. First, there are the logistics to consider, such as when to study your scenes and how to motivate yourself now that you're no longer enrolled in a highly structured dance program. The best approach is to set aside the same time for a practice session several times a week rather than waiting for inspiration. You'll be more productive. On a more serious note, you also might examine how you feel about committing yourself to a new profession. Dancers who get dropped from their schools often struggle with a sense of failure, making it scary to face possible rejection in another activity. While there are never any guarantees in life, let alone in a career as a performer, investing yourself in acting--particularly since you love it--will make the experience much more meaningful.

Recently, I've been under a great deal of stress juggling two college courses and a busy performance schedule with my local dance company. It seemed manageable at first. Then I began getting these spells where my heart started pounding and I felt shaky, dizzy, sick to my stomach, and faint. My friend said it sounds like a panic attack and wants me to see her therapist, but I'm not sure.

Having Fits

While friends are great for support, they rarely make good doctors. Instead, it's crucial to get a clean bill of health from your internist before jumping to the conclusion that your problem is due to stress. The reality is that many symptoms typical of a panic attack can also be caused by caffeine intoxication or an overactive thyroid. Once you know what's causing the problem, the next step will be to get appropriate treatment.

I know you mostly deal with dancers' problems, which is why I thought you might like to hear some positive news for a change. Two years ago I had a third-degree ankle sprain that resulted in an operation and a three-month break from dance. That may not sound like good news, but it turned out to be a pivotal point in my life, thanks to you. It happened when my mother gave me your book [Advice for Dancers] to cheer me up and I decided to follow your advice and train for a good survival job. Rather than waiting on tables, I'm now a certified personal trainer and work part-time in a gym. It was the best thing I ever did for myself and it made the injury, not to mention my life, more manageable.

Leslie From Newark, New Jersey

It always makes me happy to make life a little easier for dancers. Still, I couldn't do it without you. So keep up the good work!

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO:

Linda Hamilton, Ph.D., at 2000 Broadway, PH2C, New York, NY 10023 and read her answers exclusively in Dance Magazine.