by Sarah Browning

Created on: January 06, 2007   Last Updated: April 29, 2010

Becoming a professional dancer does not simply entail dance lessons. I found myself having to immerse every aspect of my mind and body in all areas of training in order to properly prepare myself for a professional career in classical Ballet. Obviously Ballet or dance classes, which teach technique, basic knowledge and develop ability are important, but your body and mind also need further training to be able to fully achieve. Ballet is more than steps. I found that it could be broken up into the following categories: strength and stamina; flexibility; technique & understanding; musicality; and performance.

Strength and stamina can be built up in a variety of different ways. However, even if you are dancing 6 or 7 times a week, it is unlikely that the dancing will be intense and ongoing enough to truly develop the strength and stamina required. I found a regular run built up fitness and swimming increased my stamina. I also completed several back and leg exercises every evening: lifting my leg from a stair banister without using my hands 10 times each; lying face down flat on the floor and without using my hands, lift my head and upper back up to reach 90 degrees to the floor. You mainly need to build up back muscles and leg muscles (although avoid upper thighs).

Flexibility is harder to attain. Some dancers will be naturally flexible and will not struggle to sit in the side splits, box splits and have great turnout. I was never one of these lucky people, but still I was able to attain a high enough level of flexibility. I sought out a gymnastics coach who I visited once a week for an hour. He would help stretch my muscles by holding me in positions (supported splits position, for example), gently exerting pressure. I would then repeat these exercises, slightly less aggressively, at home by myself each night. After a couple of months I found that, despite the pain and discomfort that the stretching caused, I had achieved the flexibility I had desired. I would advise seeking professional help with this area, as it is so easy to do permanent damage to yourself if you do not fully know what you are doing. That would truly destroy a future career in dance!

Technique and understanding I felt was mainly covered in my dance lessons. Of course, the more lessons you attend, the more and quicker you will learn. Also, completing exams (for example with RAD or Cecchetti, such as Grade 6, Intermediate etc) makes you learn theory. This gives you a greater understanding

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