What is a dancer’s number one priority? To always get right to the point. Sorry I couldn’t help the terrible dancer joke. You may think that dance is just an activity that people do beginning at a young age because their moms force them and then quit once they get to a certain age, but it’s so much more. 

Dance is simply the most difficult thing in the world, specifically ballet. Classical Ballet originated in Renaissance Italy and it’s characterized by light, graceful and fluid movements. You may recognize the form of dance from the use of pointe shoes, the pink shoes you see ballerinas wear and stand on their toes. Plain and simple ballet is difficult, the body is forced into positions which are very specific and usually aren’t the most comfortable. Ballet uses a full range of muscles and uses full cognitives functions, coordination and concentration. Dancers use so many muscles, your back, legs, neck, feet, ankles and lots of core. Ballet helps also with coordination and that’s because ballet includes lots of multi tasking, moving your arms through port de bras while lifting and bending legs. There are also many proven studies that ballet increases energy levels and fights fatigue according to PubMEd.gov.

 Some science for you, as we exercise we increase circulation which also makes your brain increase production of certain brain chemicals that boosts energy. Ballet is much more than an art and a sport, it’s a lifestyle.  For me dance is one of the most important parts of my life, it gives me something to look forward to and it’s nice being able to focus on and devote my hours to. My studio is also my second home and it’s a place to escape to. Dance being one of the hardest things in the world, I do struggle and I do contemplate quitting a lot but if there wasn’t a challenge it wouldn’t be fun. I’m always learning something new and always improving. 

I started dancing at four years old, my mom was a dancer and she wanted both her daughters to follow in her footsteps and at the time. “Barbies 12 Dancing Princesses” was my favorite movie . I don’t remember classes from that age very well but I do remember always having a blast but I had issues with confidence and concentration. When I was alone I felt like I could truly express myself through my body’s movement but once I had to dance in front of people I felt like my body would just freeze and I couldn’t move. I had confidence and concentration issues up until I was around 10 years old, I finally decided it was time for me to take a mental and physical break away from dancing. As much as i think that break helped me i will admit I was so sad without dance. My break away from the dance community was only two years and in those two years I was filling my time doing gymnastics and acro, which was just not the same. After a very bad injury in gymnastics

 I returned to ballet, my first class back after 2 years. I realized it’s what I was meant to do because it’s what makes me happy. At 16 years old I am still dancing and I’m not planning on quitting anytime soon. I’m so thankful for my mom putting me in dance classes at such a young age and I fully support other parents’ decisions to do the same.