Ballet Beyond the Feminine Illusion

Ballet may appear soft and delicate, yet its illusion is sustained by discipline, strength, and focus.

When people outside the studio think of ballet, they often imagine lightness, softness, and delicacy. But as adult ballet dancers, we know this is only one side of the picture. Our own classes remind us how much ballet is built on structure, discipline, focus, and goal-oriented qualities often labelled as masculine. The illusion of effortless grace on stage is possible only because of this foundation.

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Feminine and Masculine Traits in Ballet

We tend to think of femininity as fluid, sensitivity, creativity, and emotional expression, qualities ballet certainly highlights in its ethereal and demure roles. But dancers also know that behind every delicate gesture stand hours of repetition, rigour, and control, often requiring the suppression of emotions to keep going. These are traits usually associated with masculinity. Ballet thrives not on one or the other but on their interplay.

My Journey with Ballet

When I started ballet at six years old, I very much preferred the barre work to the ‘dancy’ parts of the class. I liked the order, the clarity of movement, the focus on alignment. Improvisation or being asked to flutter like a leaf in the wind felt silly.

As a young dancer, I found it more challenging to convey strong emotions as I was too self-conscious and insecure. Instead, I found comfort in the technical aspects of training, where discipline was more prominent than emotion. I wonder how I might have evolved as an artist had I danced for longer. Sadly, unless one reaches the ranks of a soloist, corps de ballet dancers rarely get a chance to explore beyond simplistic expressions. 

Today, I enjoy exploring the full range of masculine and feminine qualities together with my adult ballet dancers, whose life experience adds depth that cannot be taught.

The Balance of Energy in Ballet

Ballet is at its best when masculine and feminine energies work in harmony. The discipline and clarity required for mastering difficult techniques speak to masculine traits, while creativity and emotional connections that develop in performance reflect femininity (not to be confused with weakness). The balance between these energies is vital. Just imagine, a port de bras: there is no fluidity in the arms without strong shoulder and back muscles.

The Dying Swan workshop, no softness of the arms without strong shoulder and back muscles

There is a place for each. I prefer the barre to focus on technical precision, without embellishments. It’s like brushing your teeth. It’s about tuning inward, finding alignment, and perfecting the basics. For me, this has a meditative quality that brings calmness beyond the physical. This focus allows us to connect with the body and find tranquillity amidst everyday chaos. Often underestimated, this meditative quality is essential for many adult ballet dancers.

pointe class at the barre at Pineapple dance studios

Once we get to the centre, expression gradually unfolds, through épaulement, the gaze, and the music itself. This is where masculine and feminine energies merge, and where ballet becomes alive.

In workshops and performances, we can truly add depth. Depending on the piece, we can use our life experiences to express the required emotions, creating a bond with the audience and enhancing our overall experience. This balance is crucial for personal growth as a dancer and as a person, showing that ballet encompasses both feminine and masculine aspects.

Challenging the Illusion

Most adult dancers already know that ballet isn’t just “feminine.” But society at large still clings to that image. By recognising the balance between strength and softness, we can reshape how ballet is perceived and practised. Water and mountain make a fitting metaphor: water, with its adaptability and flow, symbolises the feminine; mountain, with its stillness and rigour, symbolises the masculine. Both are powerful, both necessary; finding the right balance creates harmony. 

Final Thought

As adult ballet dancers, we have the unique opportunity to reshape how we engage with this art form. We can embrace the discipline and structure that require commitment while exploring the emotional depths of our movements. Each dancer’s journey is distinct and personal, highlighting the importance of valuing both masculine and feminine traits in our practice. That is its true strength.

Let us celebrate the dualities of ballet and continue to challenge the notion that it is solely a feminine endeavour.