Off Balance

This is a very honest look at what very few people know about the world of ballet. The physical and mental horrors that come with job are an additional slap in the face for anyone who hopes to become a ballet dancer...especially for the non-white ballet dancer. Its the only ballet book that has admitted the deep racism is exists in ballet. I use to love ballet but I had so many racist white teachers that didnt care for nonwhite dance students, that they helped to dash my hopes (and many many others like me). It can really break a young girls heart and its something that one never forgets. I hope that this will change one day.

Let's stop moaning and groaning about terrible teachers, terrible schools and eating disorders in ballet dancers and DO something about it! This is a great book for parents and students to become critical consumers of ballet instruction and demand different approaches to training. The key to change is communication and education! When the students will know more than their teachers and demand sound advice for their bodies and health, the dance world will change! It is today's young dancer who will be a teacher, dancer or company director in the future.It is up to us to take responsibility for change and not perpetuate the old paradigms.Dance is a wonderful thing!Niki, Michigan