what kind of support do dancers REALLY need?

Melissa
Jun 3
2 min read

Hint: It’s not perfection, control, or more discipline.

Being a dancer comes with a lot of expectations—and not all of them are helpful.

We’re told to be strong but small. Confident but quiet. Hungry for more, but never actually hungry. We’re praised for pushing through, staying late, doing more. And somewhere along the way, many dancers learn that support means meeting everyone else’s expectations while ignoring what their body is asking for.

Real support looks different.

It’s not about following rigid rules.

It’s about giving dancers what they need to thrive—not just survive.

support starts with fuel

Dancers can’t dance on empty—yet under fueling is still one of the most common (and most normalized) issues I see in the studio.

Sometimes it’s unintentional:

🕒 Schedules are packed, meals get skipped, snacks are forgotten.

Other times, it’s perfectionism:

🚫 Avoiding carbs

🚫 Only eating “clean”

🚫 Waiting for the “right” time to eat

But without consistent fuel, energy crashes, recovery stalls, and the risk of injury increases.

Real support sounds like:

💬 “Did you bring something to eat before rehearsal?”

💬 “Let’s add a snack to your bag in case you need it.”

💬 “Your energy matters more than skipping a snack.”

support sounds like encouragement—not judgement

Words carry weight.

And for many dancers, the most memorable comments aren’t about their technique.

They’re about their bodies. Their meals. Their choices.

Teachers, parents, and clinicians can be powerful sources of support—but only if their language reflects the goal of health, not appearance.

Supportive language might look like:

✅ “What can we do to help you feel more energized during class?”

✅ “You’ve got a big day tomorrow—let’s plan a fueling strategy together.”

✅ “Recovery isn’t just about stretching. It’s about food, rest, and care.”

support means flexibility, not perfection

Dancers are often praised for discipline. But discipline without balance leads to burnout.

What dancers need isn’t a perfect food log or a rigid list of do’s and don’ts. They need flexible systems that make fueling possible—even when the day doesn’t go to plan.

That means:

Having backup snacks in your dance bag
Drinking (+eating) electrolytes in addition to water and other favorite beverages
Giving yourself permission to eat enough (even if it’s not “clean” or “ideal”)
Choosing balance over rules

support isn't just for dancers

If you’re a parent, teacher, or healthcare provider—you deserve support too.

Helping dancers doesn’t mean having all the answers. It means being willing to ask questions, learn alongside them, and advocate for environments that prioritize long-term health and performance.

Because fueling isn’t just about what’s on the plate. It’s about the systems, language, and mindset we build around dancers—and the culture we create together.