Ballet Case

Straight to the Pointe

Out of the many forms of dance, it is hard to argue that ballet is recognized as the most beautiful. Whether it's a spring showing of Swan Lake by a local studio's company or a Christmas performance of The Nutcracker by a world-renowned company, it has a component to it that no other form of dance has. With its graceful and flowing movements it is hard not to get lost in the dancer's form, in the way they present themselves. Ballet dancers move in ways that are not seen anywhere else. In a truly perfected routine the music seems to be playing to their movements, rather than the dancer making their movements to the music. The work put into this art form to achieve such technique and movement is strict, repetitive, and most often painful. Dancers serious about becoming a professional ballerina work very hard to achieve this position, having often daily classes lasting several hours with the female dancers having Pointe shoes on during these entire classes. While there are many dancers wishing and working to achieve a spot in a company, there are very few positions available and only the best will have their dreams come to pass. I, as many little girls do, also dreamed of being a ballet dancer. I like ballet because it has a very precise method to execute all movements, it challenges both one's body and mind, and it uses one's body as the art piece.

I like ballet because it has a very precise method to execute all movements. Ballet is very black and white when it comes to methods of movement; there is one right way to do things and an extremely large amount of wrong ways. Precision is vital to having good technique and without it many injuries are possible and likely. This precision comes from practice only; there is no way around the work if you want to become a great dancer. Natural talent proves to be useless if the appropriate work is not applied. Teachers will work with a student for weeks, months, or possibly even years to perfect just one error in the students' technique. Even with a great amount of work, perfection may never come; there is always something more to improve. Since perfection is an unachievable goal, the strivings of a ballet dancer to become better do not ever cease.

I like ballet because it challenges both your body and your mind. Ballet, as many know, is extremely demanding of the body, it requires a certain strength that will only be achieved with a continual flow of exercise and practice. Dancers will pour hours of exhausting work into classes to increase the strength of their technique and bodies. There are many physical hardships in ballet that could not be achieved without a great amount of will. The strong will of a dancer will only come from their mind. A dancer's mind must be continually set on the next movement; it must be one step ahead of the body. Much

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