An Artsy Sport | Teen Ink

An Artsy Sport

February 20, 2013
By gracefulwaters SILVER, Paris, Other
gracefulwaters SILVER, Paris, Other
8 articles 1 photo 16 comments

Favorite Quote:
- Begin doing what you want to do now. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand ... and melting like a snowflake. -- Ray<br /> - Don&rsquo;t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass. -- Chekhov


There has been a debate for quite a while now about whether or not dancing is a sport. I, personally, can only speak for classical ballet, which I believe is a sport. An artsy sport. Even though ballet is performed, and not played, it is still a sport. It is just as hard, if not harder than other sports, and is just as painful.

Everyone thinks that cheerleading is a sport. Why then, is it, that no one thinks dancing is? The only difference I can find between these two is that one is performed on the field, while the other is on a stage.

All dancers know how hard it is to control your body and contort it in ways you never thought were possible, all with a smile on your face. In no other sport is there such a high demand for perfection. A dance will be considered a failure if one person makes one tiny mistake. In no other sport are the chances for failure so high. In no other sport is teamwork, collaboration, and communication more important.

There are shin splints, pulled muscles, bloody feet, ugly toes, and general soreness. These are just some of the things that the everyday ballerina faces. Most of these injuries are ignored until it is impossible to dance. When the pain is too great and dancing is only a dream, every dancer feels that he or she needs to sit in the front of class and watch to absorb information. In no other sport is the dedication so great.
I spend at least 16 hours a week at my dance studio, and at home, I am constantly stretching and practicing my dance. I just recovered from a pulled hamstring, and the pain all over my body is overwhelming. But I smile and go on with my life. In no other sport would this happen. In no other sport would someone risk their well-being to play. Dancers are the bravest players of them all.



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This article has 3 comments.


on Apr. 26 2015 at 6:36 pm
GreekGoddess BRONZE, Andover, Connecticut
3 articles 0 photos 182 comments

Favorite Quote:
"The unprepared rebel dies in the fire."<br /> ~unknown

Okay, this gets across your feelings really well but you have some absolutes that are offensive. People spend just as much time practicing with other sports. Tiny mistakes? They can cost any player (probably more so in dance though). The biggest thing that stuck out to me was "In no other sport would someone risk their well-being to play." That was very offensive, in every other sport people risk their well-being. I am 5'10 and I ride a horse who is taller than me and falling off could cost me my life: I risk my well-being every time I get on him. I am very sorry for my rant, if you rephrased this so that your absolutes weren't so offensive, it would be really good! As is, it got across your feeling perfectly.

on Mar. 16 2015 at 9:30 pm
CNBono17 SILVER, Rural, South Carolina
5 articles 0 photos 248 comments

Favorite Quote:
Lego ergo sum (Latin&mdash;I read, therefore, I am)<br /> The pen is mightier than the sword&mdash;unknown<br /> Don&#039;t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity&mdash;1 Timothy 4:12

Amen. I can completely relate to this; my sport is marching band. Well done!

on Feb. 28 2013 at 7:25 pm
LakeSilencio SILVER, PRINCETON JUNCTION, New Jersey
8 articles 0 photos 5 comments
Good job. If I danced, perhaps I would feel similarly.