Ballerinas are not only athletes, but they are also artists. Being a ballerina requires strength and flexibility, but also mental toughness and pain tolerance. Ballet takes years of training, for hours every day, not including possessing the talent and skill, yet is still questioned as being a sport. When looking at this topic closer, there is a lot more to the art than there seems. So the question remains:  is ballet a sport?

Not only is ballet physically demanding, but also mentally challenging. Learning choreography quickly and picking up on the various combinations performed throughout even a single class can be very difficult. Having coordination between the brain and the body is important for learning and executing correct placement. Professional ballerinas often experience mental health issues, as they are very hard on themselves. An article by the Butterfly Foundation, a nonprofit organization that combats eating disorders, says that “The ballet industry thrives on structure, comparison, and perfectionism.” Ballet can be very frustrating, as the dancer rehearses the same movements over and over until they get it right. They often compare themselves to others, striving for unrealistic goals. It is also common for dancers to develop eating disorders as the environment is very harsh in the body type companies are looking for in their dancers. 

Ballerinas are some of the most talented, self-disciplined athletes. Ballet is physically demanding and mentally challenging. The dancers are constantly fighting the stereotypes made, proving themselves and their sport. Maybe, if people understood ballet better, then they would see that it is true.