My Own Instrument

Ally Haynie
Dance 261: Orientation to Dance
21 November 2016

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A violinist had a violin, a painter his palette. All I had was myself. I was the instrument
that I must care for.1 These words of Josephine Baker, the world-famous French performer
during the early 1900s, eloquently describe my belief about dance. I believe dance affects the
body in a way that is unlike any other sport or art form because it beautifully combines
physicality, artistry, musicality, and emotion in a powerful, meaningful way. It allows an
individual to feel connected with their inner self, as well as gain increased confidence as they
discover their bodys capabilities. As a dancer, my body is my most useful and crucial tool,
therefore it is essential that I care for it as carefully as a harpist would for their harp. I believe
that because of the way dance utilizes the human body, it can be a means by which children can
develop healthy self-confidence and body image at a young age. My background and training in
dance has enabled me as an instructor and a future parent to instill this type of confidence in
others.
Dance is valuable in an individuals life because of the many ways it positively affects the
body and mind. Every genre of dance, ranging from ballet to ballroom, increases our bodys
endorphin levels, which helps to combat depressions and stress.2 Dance can act as a source of
healing for emotional, physical, and mental challenges. I have experienced this in my own life as
dance has been a way to clear my mind and feel relieved from outside worries. As a dancer walks
into the studio, it is an opportunity for them to close the door on worries that are beyond their
control and focus on the power that comes from moving and training their body in a new way.
When I enter a class with the mindset of letting go and being present in the space, I find that the
1
2

Jean-Claude Baker, Chris Cause, Josephine Baker: The Hungry Heart, (Rowman and Littlefield, 1993). P. 131.

Barbara Craddock, Top Ten Fitness and Health Benefits of Dancing, DanceScape (2014): accessed November
17, 2016. http://www.dancescape.com/fitness-health-benefits-of-dancing

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studio becomes a sacred sanctuary where my worries seem to shrink and my body and spirit feel
connected. Whether or not this class atmosphere is achieved depends on both the students and
the instructor. The classes that have impacted me the most have been because the teacher pushed
me to reach new places in my artistry and technique.
I teach dancers from ages three to sixteen and I take my role in their lives very seriously.
I recognize that how I make them feel about dance, and more importantly themselves, can be
beneficial or detrimental in their lives. As I reflect on my own training starting from age four, I
have come to realize that the majority of the way I viewed myself and felt about my body came
from my dance instructors. I learned at a young age to respect my body, but to also push beyond
any physical limitations I might have set in my mind. One of my instructors, Kaitlin Collins, had
a lasting impact on my dancing and self-confidence. She was one of my main teachers for eleven
years and never once during that time did I doubt that she believed in me. Kaitlin taught me the
importance of strengthening and toning muscle in order to add power to my dancing, as well as
respecting and caring for my body to facilitate my movement. She expected me to fully dedicate
myself to my training, which inspired me to work harder. Because of her commitment to my
development, I found confidence in myself and developed a positive view of my body as the
instrument to my dancing.
As I researched more about the positive effects of dance training on the mind and body, I
found an article stating that: dance can, in fact, create a completely self-contained world for
dancers, in which they are capable of physical effort, prowess, and endurance far beyond their
normal powers.3 As a teacher, I feel that it is my responsibility to help my dancers reach this
3

Judith R. Mackrell, Dance: A Performing Art, Encyclopedia Britannica: (2015): accessed November 16, 2016.
https://www.britannica.com/art/dance

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point in their training, where they feel that they have accomplished something they never thought
they could. Even the smallest of accomplishments can be monumental in a young childs mind. I
saw this happen in one of my tiniest, three year-old dancers. Adelaide had always been somewhat
shy, reserved, and lacking confidence as she would go across the floor doing simple steps, such
as pass walks and chasss. I recognized this during the first day she attended my class, so I
made a promise to myself that I would not let her go unnoticed. As she was struggling to do skips
across the floor one day, I tried my best to exemplify the faith I had in her so that she knew I
believed in her. Once she was able to execute the step, her face lit up with pride and her
demeanor in class changed permanently. She now comes running into class each week, excited to
learn and show me what she has been working on. The way that this little girl feels about herself
has changed since she made the self-realization that she can do more than she thought she could.

The most important teaching job that I will hold eternally will be that of a mother. I have
often thought about how dance will be a part of my life once I have children. I aspire to be a
stay-at-home mother, wholly dedicating my time and energy to my childrens development. I
understand that the way that I view myself will have a substantial impact on them, especially my
daughters. Naomi Wolf has insightfully stated that A mother who radiates self-love and
acceptance actually vaccinates her daughter against low self-esteem.4 I may not have the
opportunity to be in the studio for hours everyday, but I still believe I can use dance as a tool to
help them develop self-confidence and positive body image. I want my daughters to understand

Carol Langlois, A Mothers Effect On Her Daughters Self-Esteem, Healthy Place: Americas Mental Health
Channel (2013): accessed November 17, 2016.
http://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/yourmentalhealth/2013/03/05/a-mothers-effect-on-her-daughters-self-esteem/

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the value of feeling beautiful in your skin and living a healthy, balanced life, without succumbing
to the pressures that society may place upon them. Dance can provide this type of confidence
through training in a positive environment and appreciating all that your body is able to do. As a
mother, I can be a way of helping or hindering this confidence through dance.
There are many negative depictions of dance moms in media, who obsess over their
daughters success in competitions, their appearance, and being the absolute best. Although I
began competing at a very young age, my own mother was never like that. I remember one
particular instance when I was seven years old and became a witness of a dance mom that
perfectly fit the stereotype. Before her daughter went onstage to do her solo, this mother grabbed
her by the arm and whisper-yelled in her ear all the things she needed to do, while also reminding
her that she needed to do it perfectly. My heart broke for this little girl as she walked onto the
stage with terror and fear of disappointment in her eyes. In that moment, I felt an enormous
amount of gratitude swell up inside of me for a mother who offered support and encouragement,
yet never pressured me. Regardless of how I performed, I always knew she would be there with a
smile and arms open for a hug when I walked offstage. Her loving support and faith in me has
been the ultimate example of the type of mother I want to be.
The uniqueness of dance in the areas of artistry and athleticism allow this art form to
benefit individuals both mentally and physically. I know that the confidence I feel in who I am
began at a young age and I owe much of that confidence to my dance training. Over the years, I
have learned that my body is the instrument by which I can be an athlete, performer, and artist.
As a teacher and future mother, dance allows me to help others feel this confidence in themselves

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and their bodys capabilities. Dance empowers me in my own body and is this strength that I
hope to instill in those I teach now and in the future: my students and future children.

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References

Baker, Jean-Claude, et. al. Josephine Baker: The Hungry Heart, (Rowman and Littlefield, 1993).
p. 131.
Craddock, Barbara. Top Ten Fitness and Health Benefits of Dancing, DanceScape (2014):
accessed November 17, 2016 http://www.dancescape.com/fitness-health-benefits-ofdancing.
Langlois, Carol. A Mothers Effect On Her Daughters Self-Esteem, Healthy Place: Americas
Mental Health Channel (2013): accessed November 17, 2016.
http://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/yourmentalhealth/2013/03/05/a-mothers-effect-onher-daughters-self-esteem.
Mackrell, Judith R. Dance: A Performing Art, Encyclopedia Britannica: (2015): accessed
November 16, 2016. https://www.britannica.com/art/dance.