What is Ballet Dancing?
Ballet is more than a dance form, it’s an art. It isn’t just structured steps that are choreographed to fit to music, but rather a formal variety of steps that are very precisely executed. The ballet dancer is trained to not only carry these steps out to perfection, but also to add emotion to their movement. To the audience, ballet dancing is all about grace, elegance and poise. Ballet dancers throughout the centuries have had to develop not only their dancing skills, but also learn how to sing, mime and act.
It was back in the mid 1600s that ballet first caught the attention of the French court, and in particular King Louis XVI. Although the Italians can claim ownership for the birth of ballet, the form in which we know it today came from France. The Academie Royale de Musique et de Danse was founded by King Louis XVI and the popularity of ballet can trace its roots back to that period of history. Throughout the world there are many world class ballet schools, Moscow, London and New York have ballet schools that are particular noteworthy, but the origins of this dance form remain embedded in France, as is shown by the fact that the language of ballet terminology is French!
What is a Ballet Dancer?
People may have different opinions when it comes to their definition of a talented ballet dancer. Basically, a talented ballet dancer is someone who possesses fluid grace when it comes to dancing. They should be poised when they dance and graceful when switching from one movement to another. A good ballet dancer is able to reach out the audience and convey her emotions to them. The audience should get clearly what the dancer is trying to say through his or her actions.
Contrary to the stereotype, ballet is not only for women. There are also men who undergo training as ballet dancers. Back in the Renaissance Period, ballet dancers were male dancers dressed up as women. Today, this is not done anymore as ballet has become predominantly female, but there are still men who study ballet. Male ballet dancers are flexible and light in weight but are very strong – enough to lift female dancers throughout the routine.
There are so many advantages that ballet dancers have over others. Ballet dancers get to tone their bodies through regular training. Along with this, their stamina and metabolism improve greatly and this is why ballerinas and ballet dancers have thin and toned bodies. Ballet can also teach its students the correct and proper way of standing up, sitting down and dancing with poise. This will ensure a high level of confidence for the ballet dancers, not just on stage but in everyday life.
Ballet is as popular now as it has been over the centuries. With world renowned ballet troupes playing to sell-out theatres, there’s little doubt that ballet dancing is more than just a dance craze, it’s a form of artistic expression that captures the hearts and imagination of anyone watching.