Words by Mighty Mouse | Photographs by Mia Maraschino

Everybody experiences change in their body and appearance during their lifetime, and a lot of this can happen in your dance journey. From weight loss or gain, the growth of muscles and even a new hairstyle can often feel challenging even if we feel positive about the change. In this piece by Instructor Miss Mouse, she explores how she processes the changes that have happened in her body over the years… and also gives away a little surprise at the end.

Hello wonderful Sky Sirens, it's me - Miss Mouse. Long time reader, first-time writer here on the wonderful Sky Sirens blog.  

As some of you know I've been through a bit of a journey with my body, my appearance and all the incredible things my body can do - which got me thinking how important it is to share how dancing through those changes can really help you find, well... Yourself.

"But Mouse!" I hear you say, "You're a tiny tank-like surely you haven't changed that much?" 

And you know what? You'd be both right, and completely off the mark in the same sentence. Here's a bit of why. My body, strength, appearance and fashion sense has changed many times over the years, and I've grown personally through all of them. That they haven't always been easy to navigate, let alone dance through, and not all of them are as obvious as you might think. So, what kind of changes?  

Okay - so let's be real for a moment. Who here has decided the only thing you could control in your life was your hair? You know chopped it off, dyed it, styled it, permed it or did something else with it - so what? Well, turns out that hair can have a lot of say into your costumes, your makeup, and your personas. The kind of attitude and colour you might wear; or how you might use your body and face to convey your message.  

Let's take a look at a real-world eg.  I decided to get a fringe - tada! 

Personally I feel like it suits, and I really dig it. From a stagecraft perspective though - I'm now missing a whole bunch of expression. "How?" I hear you say. Grab your phone, turn it onto selfie mode, and make a few faces. Now, cover your eyebrows and make the same faces again. See the difference? There's something missing. Something that you'll need to use your other powers of expression and mime to fill in, all for some cute bangs!  

But wait, there's more!

An amazing thing happens in an aerials journey. At some point, you develop your guns and importantly, your aerial 'wings'. Yep - those triangley muscle-shaped things that you suddenly can see from the front, not just the back - lats for those who love anatomy! 

 "Great!" you exclaim "All the better to lift my sassy-self with". Oh, I hear you, and you aren't wrong.  There is however the 'magical' realisation that suddenly sleeves don't really work anymore; or that perhaps your back balance point has moved. Yep. That balance point that you worked so hard to find just up and moved!  

Who said it could do that? Well, as your body composition changes, so too do many of the skills you take for granted. Inverts; shoulder stands; rolls; balances, and it can happen overnight (hellooooo water retention) or slowly (go muscle building).

"Okay - so it’s a thing, I get it - what can I do about it?"

As so many of you have heard me extol "Practice makes Progress" which is true, but its only part of the journey. The practice also helps you find out what feels 'normal' vs what feels like it might be shifting. If you can feel a difference, tune into it and feel it out. 

I personally love making myself a little note on my google calendar, so I can see if there's a pattern, or if it's persistent. Check-in with your Instructors about what you've noticed because often we can see it too.  Then, find out how you can tweak it for you. Remember what the change was because sometimes as mysteriously as something showed up, it can disappear.

There are of course, some changes, that all the preparation in the world can't quite get you ready for. 

For some its much-wanted surgery to remove tissue and fluid that isn't helping them, or perhaps going on hormone therapy.

For me?  Well, the next amazing adventure in my changing future is working out how to dance during, and after the arrival of my lil Mouseling in the making.

Until next time Sirens.  Stay safe, stay kind and may you continue to find ways to float and fly.

“Congratulations on your tiny alien mousling. You are basically the epitome of the best mum in the world to all your students already, so I know you’re going to be the best real life mum ever. I’m so excited to have our first Sirens baby and dress them up in leopard print and pose them in feathers. Love you so much, I’m so excited to watch and be part of your journey.” - Katia

“I am so excited for you Mouse! I can't wait to meet your new tiny Mouse bébé.” - Oryx

“Congratulations on Minnie Mouse!” - Porcelain Alice

“Congratulations!! I wish your new lil Mouseketeer nothing but happiness and health.” - Nikki Rose

“Congratulations Mouse! What a lucky little bub that is to have such a talented and determined mum!” - Sofia

“Biggest warmest congrats and I can't wait to meet Mini-Mouse, who is already doing tumbles and turns, I bet!” - Bolly

“Congratulations to Mouse! Sending all my love and can't wait to meet the mini mouse!” - Kittyhawk

“Congratulations and looking forward to meeting your tiny little mini mouse! Hoping for a smooth pregnancy".” - Arizona

“Congratulations beautiful! The world is so lucky to have a Mini Mighty Mouse on the way!” - Bettie

“Congratulations Mouse!! Cannot wait to meet your little mini and give them lots of smooches!!” - Billie

“Congratulations Mouse! Can't wait to meet the amazing mini-mouse!” - Juni

“Woohoo how exciting to have a Minnie Mouse rolling around! Congratulations!” - Nikki G

“Félicitations Mouse!!! Can’t wait to see the mini version of you!” Lily Rose

“Congratulations Mouse. I'm so proud of you and your wee Mouseling! They're so lucky to have you as their mum!” - Dahlia

“Congratulations Mouse! What a beautiful and exciting time!!” - Nikka

“Congratulations Mouse! What an exciting chapter in your lives, looking forward to meeting your lil baby mouse.” - Mia

“Congratulations Mouse! I am so excited for you and I can't wait to meet your mini mighty mouse!” - Rose

“The world definitely needs more Mouse!! So thrilled for you and your fam to start this super exciting adventure! Like everything else you do, you will be a bloody spectacular mum!” - Wednesday

“Congratulations Mouse on your wonderful news, we all can’t wait to meet your mini mouse! Wishing you all the best and much love” - Eva