Three reasons why ballet is so difficult but SO REWARDING!

I have this joke with my students when they're being hard on themselves. I'll say in the middle of class, 'You all could have chosen an easier hobby!' which always gets a few giggles and gets them out of their heads. 

Before we dive into the three deeper reasons why ballet is so difficult, I have three simpler ones to start us off...

1. You also need to learn musicality!

2. Not only do you have to learn the steps and combinations, but you then have to make it look effortless!

3. There's a huge focus on what your movement looks like!

Now let's dive into the three deeper reasons why ballet is so difficult, but because of these... so incredibly rewarding!

1. Physical demands: Ballet requires a lot of strength, flexibility, and coordination, which can take time to develop. Dancers must train consistently to maintain their technique and stamina, and even small mistakes in form can lead to injuries.

2. Mental discipline: Ballet not only challenges the body but also the mind. Dancers must not only memorise choreography but also learn to focus and maintain control throughout exercises and performances.

3. Perceived perfectionism: Ballet attracts perfectionists and a perfectionist by definition has "excessively high personal standards and overly critical self-evaluations." This can manifest as criticism of self and others and in attempts to control situations and people.The demand for perfection and the emphasis on physical appearance can lead to body image issues and other mental health concerns.

Let's unpack the physical demands...

Ballet is a physically demanding art form that requires a lot of strength, flexibility, and coordination. Let's break down these physical demands further:

Strength: Ballet requires a lot of strength, particularly in the legs, core, and feet. Dancers must be able to hold themselves in challenging positions and lifts, and the repetitive nature of many ballet movements means that muscles must be trained to withstand frequent use. This can take time to develop, and some dancers who lack consistency may struggle with building enough strength to execute certain movements.

Flexibility: Ballet also requires a lot of flexibility, particularly in the hips, back, and legs. Dancers must be able to achieve a wide range of motion and hold positions that require deep stretches. Flexibility training can be intense and uncomfortable, and some dancers may be predisposed to certain limitations due to their anatomy or genetics.

Coordination: Finally, ballet demands a high level of coordination, as dancers must be able to execute movements involving many different parts of their body at the same time. This can be challenging for beginners, who may struggle to understand how to properly engage their muscles and move with fluidity. As dancers progress, they will need to develop their ability to perform complex sequences with precision and grace.

Let's unpack the mental discipline...

Focus: Ballet requires a lot of mental focus, particularly during complex sequences or performances. Dancers must be able to maintain their concentration and stay present in the moment, even if they are tired or distracted. To build focus, dancers may practice meditation or visualisation techniques to help them stay centred.

Perseverance: Ballet is a challenging art form, and dancers must be able to persevere through difficult times. This can include injuries, setbacks in training, or disappointments in auditions or performances. To develop perseverance, dancers may work on building mental resilience and a positive outlook.

Self-motivation: Ballet dancers must be self-motivated, as they often have to practice for long hours and make sacrifices in other areas of their lives to pursue their passion. To cultivate self-motivation, dancers may set specific goals for themselves and create a routine that supports their training. Motivation will probably look different for school-aged students than adults. 

Emotional control: Finally, ballet can be an emotional art form, and dancers must be able to control their emotions in order to perform effectively. This can involve managing stage fright, staying composed in high-pressure situations, and understanding how to convey complex emotions through movement. To build emotional control, dancers may work on mindfulness techniques or explore breathing methods. 

Let's unpack the perceived perfectionism...

Ballet dancers often chase perfectionism, striving to execute movements flawlessly and achieve the ideal artistic expression. While this pursuit can be motivating and inspiring, it can also become a double-edged sword, causing stress and anxiety, hampering creativity and leading to frustration and burnout.

Here are some points related to the idea of chasing perfectionism in ballet dancing:

The pursuit of perfectionism: Ballet is a technical art form that demands a high level of precision and control. Dancers often view themselves as works in progress and continually try to perfect their technique, aiming to execute movements with greater beauty, balance, and fluidity. 

The flip side of perfectionism: While aiming for excellence is critical, becoming too fixated on perfectionism can have negative consequences. Ballet dancers who chase perfectionism can suffer from anxiety, low confidence, and a constant sense of dissatisfaction, and may harm their mental health.

Chasing perfection vs creative exploration: Focusing too much on perfectionism can impede creativity, making it more difficult to engage with new ideas or refine artistic expression. It's helpful for the dancers to find a balance between structured technique training and freer, experimental sessions that allow them to explore their creativity.

Reframing perfectionism: It's essential to recognise that perfectionism isn't inherently bad – it's about how we manage it. By reframing it from an external-validation-driven mindset to an internal-growth mindset, dancers can view perfectionism as a healthy sense of excellence they aspire to achieve, rather than a relentless pursuit to meet externally imposed ideals.

Finding balance: Finding balance is essential in ballet training. Knowing when to push ourselves and when to accept our limitations is necessary for optimal learning and mental wellbeing. The focus should be about progress, not perfecting, and accepting that we are all human beings with strengths and weaknesses.

Peace & Pliés,

Georgia x