Ex-Dancer Attempts Extreme Ballet Training

me, an ex-dancer vs. extreme ballet (aka pointe) 🩰

[willowwhitelaw]

As a ballet dancer of 14 years… im honestly beyond shocked at how well you did.

[RYCLight]

As an ex-ballet dancer who quit after I reached my 9 year mark of ballet, ballet is not only very physically torturing, but also mentally torturing. Maybe I wasn't strong enough in both sectors, but after my 6th year of ballet, I began feeling very insecure about myself and my self-confidence was just non-existent. You have to learn not to compare yourself with other dancers. Sure, people may have their leg up at 90 degrees, and you'll feel frustrated that you're at 45 degrees, but you have to learn to accept that your body goes at its own pace. It's an art form that requires you to be patient with yourself, while loving yourself. Unfortunately, I was in a ballet school that wasn't very accepting of that, which is how I've ended up here today.

Don't get me wrong, I love ballet. I love dancing and I love the joy ballet gives me. But that joy was only in the moment then. After lessons, I'd come home, body aches all over, mentally exhausted, and starting my homework at 10pm. I'd never get enough sleep. And the time ballet took along with school hours made me feel isolated from my peers. I was always feeling lonely. I think Haley has put this art form beautifully into words: “It honestly inspires me that people will go through this much pain day in and day out to perfect an art that tortures their own bodies, simply because they love it.” We sacrifice and we give. To some, the reward is worth it. To others like me, it kills us. Ballet is truly not only a test of physical strength, grace and control, but also a test of your self-love, growth and mental strength.


May all my fellow dancers out there find worth in what you do, in every second of your lives.

[grfuldeb]

Interesting Fact: The best ballet school in the world Vaganova would not even accept a child if they had back fused. They are able to tell if someone could be a ballet dancer at the age of 8. Its fascinating.

[bellaambrose]

To clarify, pointe shoes do NOT have wood in them. They are made with layers of fabrics stiffened by glue. Also, please never try this without years of continuous ballet training. Pointe is EXTREMELY dangerous! I’m so glad you’re okay, you were definitely much better than me on my first pointe class!

[hopeelizabeth]

dude you never realize how difficult ballet is until you try it

[Maryroselan]

As someone who did ballet in my mom's womb, you did amazing

[Lilyhahahoho]

As someone who has struggled for years with pointes, Haley, you’re a natural! There’s no way I could have done what you did in my first class!!!!

[maaaate]

A series of you trying different dance styles with someone who does them regularly? I’d love that!

[professionalpainthuffer]

As someone who has never been a dancer but did do martial arts, I am So Pleased to see an example of how hard it is to make your body do subtle, balanced motions at all, let alone dance. Ballet is so f/ing hard, professional dancers are truly a special breed, and a gift.

[improbablydancing]

It is NOT FAIR that she got that echappé passé combo so quickly. THAT TOOK ME ONE TOO MANY CLASSES TO MASTER

[dana]

As someone who is mainly trained in ballet I have to say you were actualy pretty good and pirouettes on point scare me as well so I totaly knew how you felt. And this colab is amazing I love you two <3

[amaisieingmaisie]

As a ballet dancer, I don’t think people realise just how hard it is. There are so many things to think about at once. Posture, feet, head, eyes, doing things gracefully, oh and of course I can’t forget that you also have to look effortless while doing it.

[obvchrissy]

As a ballet dancer of 9 years I am amazed by how quickly you learned the “final test” it was honestly, so impressive, great job!!!

[savannahcat]

So many people think ballet is easy and a very boring dance style. It is SO hard. I have been doing ballet since age 2 and I am 17 now. It is one of my favorite things in my life right now, but it has never been easy. It's SO much harder than it seems, and I get so mad when people congratulate a hip hop dancer and give them gifts and stuff, and then they see the ballet dancer and they're like: " Well, you did good but considering you do ballet and it's so simple, this dancer is way more talented." UGH

[Whippy]

In my humble opinion, ballet dancers are the fittest, strongest and most limber people ever! They are super human.

[elisiatraveller]

Every single comment right now: “As a former ballet dancer of 99 years, you did so well!” 😂

[lbchoc]

And THIS is why I have always wished I had more strength than flexibility. Your leg may not get higher than 45 degrees, but you have the leg and core strength to support yourself! Myself being a human noodle with very wobbly joints, my 3 years of pointe were miserable. Quitting and just doing everything in soft shoes was the best decision ever lol

[natalieshilariouscritters]

I did ballet on off for about 30 years. I was pretty good but never made it pro. It was very extremely hard but so exhilarating when you got that move. What's not exhilarating is practicing a dance for months that brings you to tears because it's so difficult (even for the best students in class) and finally getting it and you're so happy...and then bombing it on stage 😓😓😓
I decided to never set foot into a studio ever again! Over 5 years later I discovered pole dancing and I love it🙏🙏🙏 That 1st pole class is just one of many reasons why I'm so thankful now for putting in all those years and effort to ballet even though I never made it professionally. At 46 Ive been poling for a few years and every practice makes me more thankful for my ballet background. If anyone that has never tried ballet discredits it, hand them a pair of pointe shoes 💪

[whizzerbrown]

Ballerino here, and let me just say this is absolutely gorgeous
I don’t even want to picture what pointe feels like- it looks terrifying, yet you girls always look perfect and in control. I’m in awe! Huge kudos 💛

[marathecrow]

as a ballerina pop, you didn't do that bad. especially for your first time and not having done ballet in quite some time. i won't lie, i was terrified that your ankles were going to snap right off, but i'm glad you're okay. 😭♥️