Think that there’s only one ‘look’ that dancers can have? Think again – there’s a new sensation that’s championing curvy queens and boosting confidence levels in droves
Body diversity has become a hot topic in recent years, with body positivity influencers gaining mainstream attention and there finally being some semblance of movement towards bigger body types getting represented as the norm.
And now, there are dance classes that are specifically in place to celebrate that not every body type is the same – and that fact is a beautiful thing! Trina Nicole was inspired to start a dance collective specifically catering for curvy and plus-size women after years of experiences in dance classes had left her feeling dejected and self-conscious about her body.
‘I’ve always been a dancer, from when I was young, but over the years I kind of fell out of love with it,’ she explained. ‘I’d felt that maybe I wasn’t good enough, and I became really self-conscious about my body. I took a break, but in the 2018 New Year, I decided to do more stuff that I love and one of those things was dancing.
‘I’d get a backhanded comment like: “Oh, you can really dance for a big girl”.’
‘I started going to dance classes with my friends, and some were really intense – like, training you to be a professional dancer, which wasn’t what I wanted. And in other classes, my size is always highlighted, or I’d get a backhanded comment like: “Oh, you can really dance for a big girl”. Although I know they’re trying to say it in a positive way, it was always highlighting that I don’t fit the dance archetype – what a dancer “looks like”. If you think I can dance, just say, “Oh you’re a really good dancer.” ‘For a big girl’ suggests that you’re shocked that other people of different body sizes can still dance.’
So, she set about starting a series of her own, and after hiring a space, inviting some friends and setting up some online links, The Curve Catwalk was born – a heels-based dance workshop that brings the sexy out of their students at every turn. Though there’s no hard and fast rules on who can attend, this is a space that is specifically targeted to curvy and plus-size body types that may feel insecure in other spaces.
‘We’ve had women come who are a size 12, and who are slimmer, but with curves, to women who are a size 22 and above – it’s more about how women feel about themselves and I welcome that,’ says Trina. ‘No-one’s at the door, measuring anybody to come in!’
Once you get in the door, it’s time to don your high heels and get ready for action. However, dancing is far from the only focus. The Curve Catwalk workshops are designed to work from the inside as well, building momentum before letting go with a routine towards the end – and the genre could be anything from energetic afrobeats and soca, to slow and sensual R&B-based dance.
‘That’s why I refer to it as more of a workshop rather than a class,’ Trina affirms. ‘We learn the routine at the end and throughout the class we do a lot of affirmations, a lot of positivity. Sometimes we’ll be in a circle and we’ll discuss things that we experience in our everyday life – how we feel about our bodies, our self love, our self care – and I’ll use skills from my coaching qualification to get people to share. I think sharing stories helps other people.’
In the space of a two-hour session, Trina sees a clear difference in the way that women carry themselves from the start to the finish: ‘Women walk into the class nervous, shy, anxious and not knowing what to expect, versus how they then walk out, with a whole new energy, leases of life – and that’s me seeing them in the physical. I’ve had a lot of feedback and women have messaged me afterwards sharing how the class has helped them so much, and how it’s really allowed them to get in touch with their bodies again; they’re grateful to be a part of a community of women who feel like them, and they’re being able to heal.’
As well as leading The Curve Catwalk, Trina is also the co-founder of popular Black women’s empowerment platform, Curlture, on which she and Jay-Ann Charles share insightful pieces and talking topics such as natural hair, beauty and supporting Black-owned businesses. Happily, this prior experience in running a successful blog and their social media pages has paid off for Trina, in that she knows the importance of apps such as Instagram to build a strong community.
This sense of online community has been instrumental in The Curve Catwalk’s speedy growth. From its first workshop in August 2018, the sessions have been increased from monthly to fortnightly, with spaces in the class selling out well in advance, and Trina receiving messages from people all around the country congratulating her on the venture, and asking her to come to their city. Clearly, this is something that plenty of women have been waiting for, and some have expressed to Trina their own experiences of feeling ‘othered’ in dance classes before this.
‘A lot of women feel like they need to shrink themselves – even when going to the gym, they’re feeling really conscious about the clothes they’re wearing; not wanting to be seen,’ says Trina. ‘Or, they want to be in the background, at the back of the class. They don’t want the attention on them. A lot of women who’ve come to The Curve Catwalk have had experiences going to other dance classes and having those same “good for a bigger girl” comments… I feel like there does need to be more work done in those mainstream establishments for it to feel more inclusive. That’s why classes like mine work well; it’s a safe space for those kind of women.’
With Black women and women of colour often making up the demographic of the classes, it operates as a safe space in many forms, while being welcoming to all. The more of these that become available, the better!
For more on The Curve Catwalk, visit the website: thecurvecatwalk.com and follow on Instagram: @thecurvecatwalk
