Dancers and Mental Health: Kim Gingras

Mar. 11

For this month's Story Bloom article, we wanted to open the conversation on a prevalent topic that isn’t often talked about - Dancers and Mental Health. Dance is a wonderful outlet for exercise and artistry, cited as an outlet of therapeutic expression that has many positive benefits to one’s mood, stress levels, and mental health. With that, however, dancers may also be exposed to things like high-stress environments, perfectionistic expectations, overtraining, injuries, and physical fatigue that can increase the likelihood of mental health issues. According to the NCAA Sport Institute, mental and physical well-being is “inextricably linked”, especially within high-performance athletes. We sat down with the stunning dancer, public speaker, educator, and performer Kim Gingras to continue this narrative. Originally from Montreal, you may know of Kim’s incredible dance career where she has toured the world with Beyonce and co-founded the female empowerment program, YOU GOT THIS, GIRL!. Kim now resides in LA, where she continues to be an impactful voice in the community. We are honoured to share her words of authenticity and vulnerability.

In what ways has dance impacted your emotional health?

Dance has greatly impacted my emotional health in more ways than one. To me, being able to express different feelings and embody various characters as a dancer has been very beneficial. This art form started as a hobby and passion that quickly turned into a therapeutic outlet whenever I was going through something challenging as a teenager and young adult. Not only did I use the music and space to express and escape, but I had also built a close-knit community that supported one another.

That being said, when dance becomes your career, your emotions can be impacted in a less positive way. All of a sudden, there is increased pressure and expectations that are attached to dance. You create goals that you might not meet right away, you hope to be seen, you get rejected, you get injured, you keep having to prove yourself over and over again, you compare yourself to others, you wonder when the next audition will come up, you hope you can pay your bills .... the list could continue. Let me assure you that having these thoughts is very common. It's a reality most of us face when we are in the entertainment industry. That's when it becomes very important to fill up your self-love bucket regularly. If most of the dancing you do is currently work related, I invite you to fill up your schedule and daily routine with more things that make you feel good to give you another outlet of connection and groundedness. Don't get me wrong, I still love dance. I know I will always enjoy performing on stage, but I've also discovered other hobbies that help me stay emotionally lifted when I need it.

Throughout your life and dance career, what have you found helpful to get through bad days?

I want to put a lot of emphasis on finding your people. I truly can not stress this enough - having a few individuals in your life that are there to champion you, to cheer you on when you need it, to celebrate your wins, to support you when times are hard, and to be there to remind you how incredible you are when you’re in doubt is crucial! My family and friends have made a big impact in my life and I'm forever grateful for them. I encourage you all to make a list of your loved ones who you spend your time with and open up to the most. Upon taking the time to review this list, don't be afraid to create some distance between yourself and those who might not be returning the positive energy you give them. Personally, I know that I always have a friend I can count on to help me through a bad day. This is truly something to cherish.

On top of that, I want to share my love for meditation, journaling, and spending time in nature with you all. Those are some of my very effective ‘go-tos’. I discovered meditation about 6 years ago and it has truly been a game changer. There are multiple apps and YouTube videos that can guide you through meditation if you would like to give it a try. It's a beautiful way to be in the present moment and set positive intentions for yourself. Another activity I love is journaling and writing down what you are grateful for. One’s thoughts are so powerful. You can either focus on what is wrong in your life and attract more of that, or you can choose to focus on what you greatly appreciate and lean towards that. Gratitude has definitely been a key element to my success. I am sure of this. Take some time to be immersed in nature and you're golden! A park, forest, beach, body of water, sunrise or sunset can all have the power to get you out of a funk very quickly.

What resources do you think would be beneficial in supporting young dancer’s mental health?

I want to start by saying that there is absolutely ZERO shame in going through a difficult time, feeling stressed, lacking motivation, or being depressed. I want to help break the stigma around mental health issues being humiliating or unusual because the truth is, we all go through difficult times. It's important to seek help whenever we feel alone or defeated. I went through my fair share of depression, even years after being sexually abused as a child. I finally decided to face my childhood trauma in my late 20s and that is when I entered a dark place. While it seemed like I was living an amazing life touring with Beyoncé and dancing on all the biggest stages around the world, I was quietly going through a very trying time in my life. I was very lucky to have friends and family there for me but I also decided to seek professional help. What a great idea this turned out to be! As scary and uncomfortable as it may be to open up to a stranger, it was exactly what I needed and I truly recommend it to everyone. Whether it's meeting with a social worker, a therapist, or calling one of the many free helplines, talking to someone who has the tools to help you is extremely beneficial. If you are reading this and going through a harder time in your life, please consider consulting a professional who you feel safe talking to.

You have spoken about your experiences while touring with artists as a dancer. Knowing the conditions for dancers aren’t always the best, what advice would you give to a dancer hoping to follow a similar path of work?

That's correct - the conditions are not always ideal. For example, you may have trouble falling asleep on a tour bus, you may not get along with your new "family", you may be super jet lagged, or you may find it hard to keep up with your dietary restrictions. That said, there is also so much to look forward to while touring with an artist. You travel the world doing what you love, performing for thousands of fans, making a steady income, and connecting with people from all around the world. It can be truly magical and I wish it for anyone dreaming of touring one day. If touring is a dream of yours, here are a few tips before you get on the road. First, make sure you and your agent have looked over the entire contract and negotiated what you feel comfortable accepting. Be sure to take care of your body - it's your tool to cherish and prioritize. That includes staying healthy and ready to take on anything that is thrown your way. Lastly, make it a point to always remain professional, hard working, and respectful. On tour, you become an important player on the team. It's a small industry and you want to aim for longevity. Everything you do will stay with you.

What advice or message do you want the youth dance community to take away from your experiences?

To the beautiful youth dance community reading this, I want you to remember to enjoy the journey that you are on. I encourage you to dream big and to never compare your path to someone else's. You will fail at times, but that just means you're on your way to success. Choose to be happy as often as you can, in the good times and in the harder times. Remember that things will always be okay in the end. If things aren't okay right now, it's because this is not the end. I want you to focus on loving everything that you are wholeheartedly. You are unique and you have something special to offer. Follow your heart, pursue your passion(s), believe in yourself and trust the process. It's never truly about the destination, it's about the journey. Enjoy it.

Danse Bloom hopes to continue to open discussions surrounding mental health and dancers within our community. You can find more uplifting words from Kim on her Instagram page (@kimgingras ) and website.