(listicle)

Ballet is one of the most beautiful and complex types of dance. It requires physical fitness, stamina and the desire to develop and improve your skills.

“The discipline that ballet requires is obsessive. And only the ones who dedicate their whole lives are able to make it. Your toenails fall off and you peel them away and then you’re asked to dance again and keep smiling. I wanted to become a professional ballet dancer,” tells Penelope Cruz. So, if you also want to become a ballet dancer these 7 tips can help you to make ballet an integral part of your life:

1. Ballet is more traumatic than other types of dance.

If you have problems with the spine, flat feet, joints or muscle tone, before going on a ballet lesson you should consult your doctor.

2. Before the first lesson, take care of proper appearance and equipment.

You should have ballet clothes or a T-shirt with leggings and ballet shoes.

3. Be prepared for the fact that you won’t be allowed to enter the barre on your first lessons

First of all, you need to take a course of exercises on the floor, to overcome the series of exercises in pair gymnastics. Keep in mind: you will stand on pointe shoes no earlier than a year of regular trainings ― do not rush things.

4. To improve your class results and to make the day of ballet dancing closer, do stretching exercises.

Muscle tone is very important in ballet ― almost everything depends on your muscle trainings in this type of dance.

5. Many ballerinas advise to practice pilates for those who have just stepped on the path of professional dancing.

This sport trains the muscle groups that are needed for this dance.

6. Watch your weight.

If you want to become a successful ballerina, you need to give up junk food, sweet and starchy foods. Indeed, it is very difficult to do 64 fouettés with excess weight.

7. Do not be afraid of criticism.

Take any comments from your dances as an opportunity to improve your skills. Do not forget, it is impossible to immediately get an excellent result.