5 scary myths about children’s ballet that it’s time to stop believing

Ballet today is one of the main art forms representing Russia at the international level. It arose during the Renaissance as an addition to the solemn performances that were staged for the nobility. The first court musicians and dancers entertained ladies in what is now Italy.

Ballet classes are considered a prestigious hobby these days, but few dare to send a child into the “cruel” world of pointe shoes and tutus. Perhaps it’s time to dispel the most popular myths about the ballet element.

1. Ballet dancers barely eat.

Many parents are afraid to send their children to ballet schools, believing that at a very young age they will have to deal with meals on the clock and many diets that can adversely affect the health of their babies.

It is not true. The ballerina’s diet includes chocolate, meat, and even cakes. For example, the Bolshoi Theater has its own bakery and even a pie shop, which are popular among artists. Regular workouts and performances help keep yourself in shape – such physical activity “saves” the figure.

2. Ballet is not for boys

Siegfried comes to help Odette in Swan Lake, the Nutcracker has to fight the mouse king, Juliet goes through family feuds with Romeo – male characters play an important role in all iconic ballet productions. Sergei Polunin, Vakhtang Chabukiani, Mathieu Gagnot, Nikolai Tsiskaridze invested their souls in ballet princes – the list goes on and on. “Ballet is hard work for real guys,” says Mikhail Baryshnikov, a Soviet and American ballet dancer who gained worldwide fame and was nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe.

3. It’s too early to start ballet from the cradle, and late at school age

Many are sure that in order for a child to be able to build a brilliant ballet career, it is necessary to practice from the age of five or six. But practice shows that it is possible even earlier. And even necessary: ​​classical dance strengthens and develops the growing body, and in the future the muscles do not stiffen even with a school sedentary lifestyle.

A child with correct posture is looked upon with admiration, and besides, this is the best prevention of scoliosis and flat feet. Ballet helps children to use energy properly and feel better.

But even if your child didn’t attend ballet classes in early childhood, there is a way out – for example, body ballet classes. Regardless of age, they will help to tighten the figure and form a royal posture.

4. Exhausting workouts interfere with your studies.

Due to the large amount of training, it seems that ballerinas do nothing but practice the steps at the barre. But in order to become a worthy theater artist, dancing skills may not be enough – it is important not only to understand the amboate and pour li pied, but also to know the history of art and theater, foreign languages, etiquette, and learn acting. All this is taught in ballet academies, whose graduates are not just professional dancers, but also intelligent people with a first-class education.

Ballet instills discipline, children become more collected, learn to properly allocate time for training and lessons, and often show good results in their studies.

5. There is a high risk of “staying in the shadows”

Ballet history knows many artists who never performed the coveted main role. However, upon graduation from the ballet academy, not all graduates choose the stage: some remain in the theater as teachers, others become choreographers. A former artist may be appointed artistic director of the troupe.

And, of course, ballet training becomes an excellent basis for a healthy lifestyle in general – plasticity and the right habit of devoting time to sports remain.