Ballet: The Risks And Effects Of Ballet

The Risks and Effects of Ballet Ballet is an artistic dance which involves elegant movements, precise steps, and fancy gestures. With the use of pointe shoes, leotards, and determination, ballet dancers perform exquisite performances. However, before all the performances go on, difficult practices push these dancers to achieve very high standards. Ballet dancers practice until they believe they have reached perfection. Many times, this willpower causes dancers to go through terrible injuries and pain. Ballet dancers expect perfection and push through these injuries. This then leads to long term injuries and negative psychological effects. Although there are some benefits to practicing ballet, the risks outweigh the benefits because …show more content…
In the article “A Dancer’s Mind” by James Careless, the author reveals that, “Dancers tend to think in physical terms when it comes to self-improvement, practicing more and eating less and trying to convert their bodies into ideal ‘dancing machines’…The expectation in the dance culture is that performers should ‘tough it out’ not only physically but emotionally, despite pain, fear, and fatigue” (Careless). Ballet causes men and women to believe that they have to achieve extremely high standards. The author reveals a negative connotation when he uses the word “machines” because this implies that dancers are pushing their bodies to a high extent and are not letting their bodies rest and be healthy. Practicing ballet makes a dancer believe that weakness is never an answer; however, the human body has pains that demand to be felt. The author also states, “The emotional challenges associated with dancing—relentless practicing even when injured, competition against other highly motivated dancers, body image issues…” (Careless). By constantly overworking your body, everyday functions are affected and limited. Ballet sets an image of being skinny and petite. However, not all women who practice ballet begin with this body type. This may cause depression and disorders so that women or men can reach the image of an “ideal” ballet dancer. This author also states, “Self-doubt and self-criticism are among the most common mental stresses dance students face…” (Careless). Self-doubt and self-criticism can make a dancer believe they are not good enough and force them to try everything to change not only their body, but also their way of thinking. These mental stresses can lead to risks and cause dancers to do bad things to themselves. The fact that this is common to a dancer emphasizes that practicing ballet does not provide more benefits than