Experienced ballet dancer about one of the oldest dance forms

Melissa Badenhorst, 41, has been doing ballet for the past 38 years.

In 2011, she opened her own dance studio, the Melissa Badenhorst Dance Studio.

Melissa said even before taking classes, she held ‘concerts’ for family at home.

She explained that ballet is an excellent combination of strength, flexibility, endurance as well as balance, and that it is a full body sport because it works all the muscle groups. Professional ballet dancers train even harder than most professional athletes.

“Dancers need extreme athletic ability and body control, and make it all look effortless, which is not a requirement for a rugby player.”

Melissa pointed out that males were the first ones to perform ballet, not females and that is why until today there are more male ballet choreographers.

“Woman actually only started doing ballet 100 years later.”

When asked about what age one can start doing ballet, she said, “Immediately, depending on one’s intentions and goals.

“Ballet is not just for girls; boys and men need tremendous strength to execute the movements that they have to perform and they focus on high and daring jumps that require strength.”

When asked if a ballet dancer’s feet really do end up being hurt, Melissa said that everyone has seen the photos of ‘ballet feet’ that show bleeding toes and blisters.

“It is not like that, we work hard to strengthen and condition our feet to do pointe work.”

She said that ballet techniques strengthen the muscles that are necessary to balance en pointe, and to lift weight off their feet.

“The shoes that we wear, called a pointe shoe, has advanced so much technologically that it is possible to reduce pain and side effects that ballet dancers used to experience in the past, but training and your technique are most important.”

In conclusion, Melissa said ballet has taught her to be resilient and to persevere when things get tough.

“Ballet is supposed to be fun and the more you practise, the more fun you will have.”