Hey Movers!
Todays’ blog is going to be a bit shorter than the others since my research is still in progress.
My research is on the biomechanical impacts of breast size on dancers, or as I like to call it “Got Boobs?”.
Growing up dancing, I was always the biggest dancer in the room. I knew that, but it wasn’t until a costumer stood in front of me when I was in the 4th grade and said, “well what are we going to do about those?”, that I realized the dance world was lacking inclusion for bodies like mine. Thankfully this is changing, and quickly! Dance and the performing community in general, is becoming much more inclusive, and remembering its roots as a source of joy and natural expression. That being said, body shape and size still seems to be a taboo subject within the studio. I reached my breaking point when a teacher I had in college told me that my breasts were moving because I wasn’t holding my core. You don’t need to be an expert to know that is anatomically incorrect.
When I decided to take on this topic, I went looking for any research that was already out there. It should be easy right? The dance community is significantly more female populated, most females have breast tissue, there has to be oodles and oodles of research. Wrong.
Nada. Zip. Nothing.
I was shocked. How could something that had such a major impact on my dance journey have no effect on anyone else? If the shape of your hips changes how you move, don’t you think your chest would do the same?
After a breath, I thought it must be that true to a dancer stereotype, we’ve just accepted it.
That’s how I got here. I’m in the throes of my research and I can’t wait to share what I find with you.
I know this wasn’t quite the scientific read you were expecting but stay tuned!
Keep Kinected,
Amelia