9 professional secrets of ballerinas that they prefer not to talk about

Glass in pointe shoes, strict diets and endless training-such associations arise when we think of ballerinas. But is there any truth in this? We reveal the main secrets of ballerinas, which they prefer not to tell in interviews.

The average weight of a ballerina barely reaches 45 kg. Despite such strict standards, few ballerinas adhere to a strict diet. Some of them even want to eat a hamburger or French fries at McDonald's. With such colossal physical exertion, which ballerinas experience during training and performances, calories melt literally before our eyes.

On average, ballerinas go on a well-deserved vacation at the age of 35. But not everyone takes advantage of this opportunity. Some dancers remain devoted to the stage until old age. Remember the inimitable Maya Plisetskaya. She continued to spin the fuete until the age of 70. Here everything is decided by health and the desire to go on stage.

The ballerina's regime is completely subordinated to training, and all because it is contraindicated for them to rest for a long time. Optimal fitness goes away too quickly. That is why ballerinas rest only once a week.

Professional dancers wear more than 100 pairs of shoes per season, and leading prima ballerinas-three times more. A lot of modern films and photos on the Internet have given rise to the myth that ballerinas are incredibly uncomfortable wearing pointe shoes. This does not correspond to reality at all. Modern materials have long solved this problem. In addition, the trained feet and calves allow the dancers to flutter on their toes, without experiencing any inconvenience.

Ballet is second only to boxing in terms of energy intensity. The energy consumption in ballet is very high. Despite the fact that it seems to many "yes, what is there difficult, to wave your legs". In fact, every muscle works. It is impossible to dance beautifully without strength and endurance

Progress and automation of labor did not affect the production of the ballet tutu in any way — it is still sewn by hand. The process is very laborious. On average, it takes about 15 meters of tulle and two weeks of work to sew one pack. Despite the huge variety of models, there are strict rules for sewing a ballet tutu. For example, you can not use buttons and zippers, because they can come off during the performance. As fasteners, hooks are used, which are sewn in a strictly defined sequence. Sometimes the tutus are sewn by hand on the ballerina right before going on stage.

Often make-up, and sometimes even costumes, ballerinas make themselves. That's why each of their images is unique. This does not apply to large theaters, which have their own staff of make-up artists and hairdressers.

It is no secret that ballet art has its own standards of beauty. Here, artists with a high rise of the foot and slightly X‑shaped legs are especially appreciated. Sometimes ballerinas are cunning, visually increasing the rise of the foot with the help of special foam pads.

As for the stereotype that ballerinas prefer not to give birth – in fact, everyone's life is different. Someone finds their prince early, the person they want to spend the rest of their time with. Therefore, there are ballerinas who give birth at 18, and there are those who give birth at 36 or even at 47. In any case, no career and no ballet can compare to the feeling when you have a child.