Think you can Dance ballet? Dancing on pointe demonstrates that ballet is not merely an art, but a challenging sport

theballetblog:

“Too often, ballet brings pictures to the mind of skinny girls in bedazzled tulle, prancing around a stage on the tips of their toes. However, the stamina, technique, and training required to be a ballet dancer should over qualify it as a sport rather than a simple form of dance that only the elderly, and snobby connoisseurs enjoy.

One of the most eminent aspects of ballet is dancing on your toes, which is more formally called dancing on pointe. What looks as if it requires little to no effort not only necessitates incredible strength, but also pristine balance. It takes years to master the art of dancing on pointe and endless practice can only take you so far, considering dancing on pointe is also dependant on the natural flexibility of your feet. Ballet dancers must possess not only physical, but also mental strength, to be able to memorize countless combinations and intricate choreography. Thousands of patterns swim around your mind, not to mention the counts of the music, endless formations, and don’t forget to smile!

 Ballet can be mistaken as a flowery art because dancers are trained to make their feats look easy and effortless, unlike the professional tennis players or overdramatic soccer players on TV. Keeping the hands flowing and free of tension is a challenge that can take years to perfect. When doing countless sets of arduous jumps and leaps, a ballerina never allows the audience to see the pain and weariness she feels, but keeps her body relaxed so as to appear effortless rather than strained.”