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adiemus · 07-14-2008, 06:27 AM

Ballet adds upper body 'elegance' and especially graceful arms and neck. BUT ballet doesn't help with grounding the body to the floor, any hipwork (in fact it's almost opposite in many ways!), and it does reduce mid-thoracic movement. I have danced ballet (and I know some others on the forum have also) and I wouldn't do it today. I think you may be better off doing more bellydance, and focus on specific things you want to learn rather than start ballet to help your bellydance.
What I have gained from ballet (apart from the upper body stuff) is the recognition that you need to drill some movements to get them into muscle memory, and the committment to practice, practice, practice!

07-14-2008, 06:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
adiemus Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Posts: 977	Ballet adds upper body 'elegance' and especially graceful arms and neck. BUT ballet doesn't help with grounding the body to the floor, any hipwork (in fact it's almost opposite in many ways!), and it does reduce mid-thoracic movement. I have danced ballet (and I know some others on the forum have also) and I wouldn't do it today. I think you may be better off doing more bellydance, and focus on specific things you want to learn rather than start ballet to help your bellydance. What I have gained from ballet (apart from the upper body stuff) is the recognition that you need to drill some movements to get them into muscle memory, and the committment to practice, practice, practice! __________________ He wahine, he taonga- Every woman is a treasure(Maori proverb)