I asked my teenage students once to anonymously write down the answer to:
“Why do you do ballet class?“
These are some of the answers…
“I do ballet because when I’m there, I feel like nothing else matters”
“Ballet class always feels amazing. Especially getting into the car afterwards and maybe feeling a bit tired but most of all refreshed and just feeling good”
“I really enjoy it, even if I’m having a bad day it cheers me up. It helps me to express how I’m feeling through movement. I enjoy trying to always improve”
“I do ballet class because I love my friends there and I feel comfortable in class. Ballet is reliable and supportive for me, an outlet that I share with others who feel the same. No matter what happens outside the studio, I feel like it can’t enter the studio as it is a positive and safe space for me”
“Doing ballet helps clear my mind and just makes me happy to dance. Class is always so positive”
“I like it as an escape from the outside to come in and just dance and not care about anything else”
“I”ve been doing ballet for so long I just can’t imagine not doing it. It helps to keep my mind off things”
“I always feel really good & energised after class & I get to see my friends”
“I enjoy learning ballet because I find it stress relieving and empowering to be able to move my body in a graceful way”
“Ballet energises me even on days when I feel I can hardly move, I always come away feeling refreshed and ready to take on the rest of the day. It is a safe environment where I always feel comfortable and respected by my class mates and teacher”
“I do ballet because it makes me completely forget about everything else in my life. The steps and exercises help me focus on something which distracts my mind from everything else. I always feel heard and that I belong in class”
“Ballet gets me out of my head, all I have to do is focus on the steps. I’ll always love ballet!”
“I love moving and feeling free. If I have had a bad or stressful day at school, I always look forward to coming to class to see my teacher and friends. They make me feel good and confident about myself”
“I do ballet to take my mind off the outside world and I can truly express myself and my feelings through ballet in a controlled way. I love being a part of a class that has a shared passion and for so long we have danced together”
