Dance students constantly hear their teachers tell them that ballet is the foundation of all dance, but for which reasons? Of course it aids all other dance disciplines in terms of technique, lines and posture, but ballet has other benefits as a classical art form…
Attending ballet classes immediately means dance students are immersed in the history of ballet, from the vocabulary to the origins of steps. By taking ballet classes, students are helping to preserve the art form, which has been passed on from teacher to dancer for hundreds of years; the history of the subject is rich with information. In addition, the aesthetics of ballet are therefore not lost between generations of dancers, with beautiful lines, music, artists and footwork all adding up to a wonderful artistic experience.
In a physical sense, ballet classes can be taken for body awareness, length and strength, and better posture. How many people have asked you if you are a dancer? Ballet in particular encourages you to “pull up” and stand tall, improving your posture and building long, lean muscles. Ballet consequently encourages better balance, fitness, coordination and agility, as a result of performing complex footwork, intricate jumping sequences and even simply standing on one leg.
Ballet is not only physical. It means dance students – and their teachers – are constantly able to challenge themselves. With many successful ballet stars, the common factor is how easy they make those difficult movements and moments look; the sense of achievement when you master a new step will be the best feeling. Ballet may be difficult, and probably the hardest of all the dance forms, but it’s not impossible. In attempting this feeling, ballet – and dance in general – helps you escape reality for a while!