Things people think about / associate with dance

Hello all, and welcome back to my blog!

Today, I’m talking about some things people commonly think about and associate with dance / dancers (specifically ballet). I’ll be addressing and talking about these assumptions!

I think there a lot of false assumptions about dancers. And I thought I’d let you guys know what they are (you’ve probably heard some of them), and just talk a little bit about them.

1. Ballet dancers are skinny / small.

This is not true. I am not very thin, and also am quite tall, and I have been doing ballet for years. This is an unfortunate stereotype, but a lot of people think it’s true. Some professional ballet companies have a “you have to weigh this much, and have to be this tall” in order to get into the company. I hope that will change someday!

2. Ballet dancers are either little 6 year old’s with tutu’s, or they’re elite professionals.

This isn’t true either! I personally am not a professional dancer, and probably won’t ever be. But I still dance and enjoy it so much!

3. Adults can’t start ballet.

Adults certainly can, and do start taking ballet classes past the age of 20 all the time! Even if you start ballet later on in life, you can still get good at it!

4. All dancers have to do pointe when they can / are old enough.

I’ve sort of found this to be somewhat of a problem. If I didn’t “have to do” pointe, I probably wouldn’t! I struggle a lot with doing pointe; always have and probably always will. I have very flexible feet, and so until I find that “perfect shoe” It will continue to be extremely hard for me. Plus, I know I’m just naturally a better dancer on flat. I do wish that if dancers didn’t feel like they wanted to do pointe, they didn’t have to. But as it is, usually unless you have an injury or have some sort of medical problem in your feet or something, generally you gotta do it.

5. Ballet is easy.

Hmmm… How can I put this. Ballet is not easy. It takes years to be able to do (and do well) advanced level combinations etc. Ballet is also something that you can never perfect. Even the top professionals are continually striving to improve and be a better dancer than they were yesterday.

I’ve heard that football players sometimes choose to take ballet classes, because it will improve their strength and control. Ballet is also extremely hard because it’s not just working out, you have to add artistry and expression. All while looking like it’s the easiest thing in the world!

You all should try a ballet class at least once lol. It really improves coordination, precision, strength, and balance!

This last one is whether or not dance is a sport.

This has been very controversial, and it still is. According to google, ballet is not a sport. It says that the reason why is because ballet is not competitive. And I’m finding now, that if it were competitive, we probably would not have to wear masks, because we would qualify as a sport. Anyways…

Google also says:

“Ballet, according to a 1975 study by Dr. James A. Nicholas in The Journal of Sports Medicine. The study, which examined 61 different activities, ranked ballet most physically and mentally demanding, followed by bullfighting and then football.”

So there you have it. Ballet is harder than football. I personally think dance is a sport; we work just as hard (if not a bit harder) as sports players and athletes.

Kay guys! That’s all for today! Don’t forget to comment down below and let me know if you consider ballet a sport! I’m curious to hear your thoughts!

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying,

“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

John 8:12 NKJV