There are just so many myths and misconceptions around Ballet, but let me start with these eight. This is so satisfying already.

MYTH #1 : You have to be slim to be a Ballet dancer

Everybody is a ballet body. If you can dance, you can dance Ballet. Period. No matter what your body shape or weight, you can learn Ballet. It is safe. Apart from becoming a kickass dancer, you will have corrected your posture, increased strength, flexibility, coordination, cognitive abilities, improved energy levels and sure, also lose weight in the process. But you don’t have to wait to lose weight to begin training. It is not required. Just love your body and dance. Body positivity is important for our mental health and well-being.

Myth #2 : Ballet dancers don’t eat well

Oh, we eat really well. Professional Ballet dancers need to eat well because they work for about 12 hours daily – morning class, rehearsals and stage performance. So, no, we don’t survive on apples and salads. If you know of dancers who’re doing that, chances are they are still training to join a company and/or are ill-informed or fad driven. We need to fuel our body right to sustain ourselves through rigorous training hours and to avoid injuries. Our body is our instrument. – a balanced diet, supplements if the doctor suggests and not restricting ourselves of our favourite indulgences (pasta, ramen, some dessert for me) is how we roll.

MYTH #3 : You have to start young to be a professional Ballet dancer

Not really. We have examples of famous ballerinas like Misty Copeland who started at age 13 and several others, who’re not famous yet, but employed in many Ballet and dance companies. Dance companies, the world over are more and more accepting of diversity and talent. It’s about having the ability, technique and right mental state. It is not about age. If you want to be a pro ballet dancer, start your training under a certified teacher and explore your options.

MYTH #4 : Ballet is all glamour!

Ballet is discipline, persistence, grit, courage and long hours of hard work at the studio. Sure, glamour is part of it when you’re on stage. But, to get there and even after you’ve made it to a company after training hard, you will be sweating it out in class, rehearsals to keep growing as an artist. The glamour is what is more visible.

MYTH #5 : You have to be tall to be a ballet dancer

Most Ballet dancers are between 5’2’’ and 5’7’’. Average height. Female Ballet dancers look taller because of dancing en-pointe and also because they’re athletic because of working out. There are many very tall female ballet dancers and successful ballerinas. Height, if I may emphasize, is not a contributing factor.

MYTH #6 : You need to go to a big Ballet school to succeed and get hired in a Ballet company

You don’t have to train in any big school to be recognized for talent. This is across dance forms. Ballet is no different. You need to train in a good school with certified teachers but the school’s size is not what decides your future. It is you. To get hired, you need to have the ability, technique and the right attitude towards work and company members.

MYTH #7 : Ballet is all pink!

Not true at all. Even in classical Ballets, apart from a few roles, there are all colors. In contemporary Ballet pieces, there may not even be a tutu, let alone pink frills. Ballet is relevant, current and evolving just like any other art form.

MYTH #8 : Ballet is girly and delicate

This is my favourite one to debunk. No, Ballet is badass. Ballet requires stamina, athleticism and mental toughness. You are doing a lot of extremely difficult, hard-earned, technical, subtle, liberating things as a female or male ballet dancer. Don’t believe me? Watch any Ballet or book a trial class with a certified teacher. Also, thirty two fouettes. Mic drop.