The Unique & Intense World Of Ballet...

   Ballet dancers are athletes. Ballet is beautiful to watch; it's very difficult to do.  Ballerinas, especially, look like delicate creatures, whirling around the stages on their toes, dressed in filmy outfits; they look as if they've come from fairy land. 

   Of course, this is far from the truth. Dancing, supporting the whole weight of the body on the very tips of the toes causes damage. It can't help but cause damage. This might mean eventual surgery. At the very least, it means dancing, looking serene and lovely while incredibly painful feet in those beautiful handmade pink or white silk shoes tied to slender ankles with lovely ribbons are in bandages of bloody gauze.

 

   Male dancers don't ever dance on their toes, but they still suffer pain. Some male dancer aren't much bigger than their partners. Yet, they're expected to lift ballerinas continuously throughout a performance. This can cause back injuries. 

   The world of ballet is a specially contained one. And, perhaps a strange one. It's undeniable: BALLET IS BEAUTIFUL BUT, DANCERS REGULARLY SUFFER FOR THEIR ART.