Live Like a Ballet Dancer

Have you ever wanted to be a ballet artist? Or are you one and want to improve? If so, you've come to the right place. Start with step 1, below.

Steps

  1. Practice as much as possible. Practice makes perfect, so practice at least half an hour a day on your own to get better and take as many classes as possible. You will not improve much if you take one ballet class a week. It is most helpful to take classes at least once a day. A dancer who dances 7 days a week will see much more improvement that one who takes class two or three days a week. There is an old ballet saying "You miss one day of dance, you feel it. You miss two days, your partner feels it, you miss three days and the audience sees it"
  2. Youtube is a wonderful place to watch ballet. Type in names of dancers such as Gillian Murphy, Polina Semionova or ballets like Swan Lake, Manon Ballet, Carmen Ballet or Don Quixote. Also, Marianela Nunez who dances with the Royal Opera House
  3. Have a good diet. Some of us get confused when it comes to the word "diet". A diet is not a weight loss term, it's what you eat! Professional ballet dancers have a very healthy diet. Proteins and good carbohydrates are essential to a healthy diet for a ballet dancer. Also, water is incredibly important to drink all the time, especially during class. This will give your body more energy to do the things you want it to do. Dancers have to eat foods like fruit, vegetables, lean meat, wholegrain bread etc. Why? They do this to keep their lean figure and to keep up energy. They are not going to make it through a tough class/rehearsal if they crash after eating a chocolate candy bar with a cup of coffee. 'In dance your body is your tool. Take care of it. Everyone, even dancers, will crave junk food sometimes. They just know how it knocks your body out of whack if you give in to eat.
  4. Read books, watch movies, take lessons, whatever you can to learn more about Ballet! Soak in all of the knowledge you can!
  5. Use Google. Search for ballet photography as it will give you some dance ideas.

Tips

  • Warm-up before you dance. This does not include doing strenuous stretches. If you stretch before your muscles are warm, you might tear them. On the other hand, stretching is necessary before executing steps that require elevation of the leg. If you fail to stretch properly before these moves, you risk again damaging the muscles. The best time to stretch is in the middle and after class.
  • It is recommended for your health and safety that you take lessons by a trained professional instead of trying to teach yourself.
  • Choose an idol and study their lives-Darcy Bussell is just stunning!
  • To help keep your poor feet in healthy condition, give yourself a pedicure every fortnight.
  • When you first begin ballet, buy a pair of flat ballet shoes. Absolutely do not start with pointe shoes (commonly known as toe shoes to non-dancers) It takes years to build up the strength, coordination and technique necessary to dance en pointe without hurting the foot. Flat shoes on the other hand provide a small amount of resistance and protection needed to execute ballet technique with more ease.
  • DO NOT start ballet with pointe shoes, as this can damage your ankles. Always have at least 2-3 years before attempting to dance on pointe. In these years of training you will be building up strength in your ankles so achieving pointe becomes easier.

Warnings

  • Don't buy Pointe shoes, or go en pointe without your ballet teacher's permission. Your teacher should be experienced enough to know if your body is almost finished growing and if your technique/body is strong enough to remain stable while en pointe. Going en pointe too early can mean SERIOUS long-term damage. It can take girls years of practice to build up enough strength and technique to start pointe work.
  • When you go to buy pointe shoes, you should have a wide selection and try on many different shoes, including different pairs of the same shoe. After buying the shoes, you should have your teacher check to make sure they fit.

Things You'll Need

  • Flat ballet shoes (recommended!)
  • Good books and movies
  • Lessons
  • A comfortable outfit (a leotard and tights are best)
  • Hair materials to put it in a bun
  • A studio with sprung floors to practice (this is very important as it decreases your chances of getting shin splints and other injuries)

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