There are certain students that teachers zoom in on during class because they naturally have the right proportions and physical attributes to make good lines, a necessity for ballet, which is a visual art form.

There’s this idea in the ballet world that if a student doesn’t have the right body, she shouldn’t pursue ballet as a career or train rigorously as it wouldn’t be successful, especially when most of the dance professionals are of a certain physique and build.

So what defines the ballet body? Ideally, a long and slim physique with a small head and shorter torso in comparison with the legs. Narrow hips and long limbs.

An ideal body – small head, long limbs and legs, a slim physique

Some people are born with an ideal physique and others are not. But should we dismiss those that do not have inherent genetic traits?

My personal take on the ballet body is that it can be trained. While you cannot change the length of your legs and arms, or how tall you are, training correctly and intensively can help you to mold your body. Ballet exercises, when done correctly, produces muscles that are long and lean, so doing it over a long period of time correctly will help you to achieve a more ideal physique.

Therefore, students shouldn’t dismiss their own abilities because they do not have the right body for it. Instead, they should focus on correct training.

I think that when dance schools look out for students, they select those with the naturally thin bodies because those bodies are much easier to work with if students can maintain an ideal weight effortlessly.

However, I would also add on that people make a big deal of having a ballet body, but we should also take into account the fact that ballet is movement. Students who may not have the ideal physique may still thrive in ballet if they possess other redeeming physical attributes or abilities like hyperextension which helps them to create beautiful leg lines, long Achilles heels which helps students to jump much higher and have longer time in the air and also good turning ability.

Teachers veer towards certain physiques in class because they present potential. But through consistent training and a good diet, students’ bodies can be changed. Also, there are other physical abilities that can help a student to become an exceptional dancer. Therefore, students should not despair if they do not have the ballet body.

I hope you enjoyed reading this! Comment below if you have any thoughts on this subject if you would!