MEN POINTE

A few men more used to rough and tumble take on the elegant challenge of ballet

MENTION BALLET AND WHAT USUALLY pops to mind is the image of women in tutus and pointe shoes leaping around on stage. While not inaccurate, it’s certainly a stereotype that needs to be left behind.

Much like how women have begun lifting weights in the gym, which traditionally has been a predominantly masculine domain, men too have begun exploring supposedly more feminine workouts such as yoga and Pilates. Many gents have realised the all-encompassing benefits these workouts provide and have included them into their fitness regimes. But are they ready to try something even more daunting?

Life After The Last Dance

Enter Ballet Body, a ballet fitness studio that was launched late last year by former Singapore Dance Theatre ballerinas, Alison Carroll and Lisha Chin. Recently retired from the dance scene, the two young ladies got certified to teach Pilates and began embarking on a fitness instructor’s journey soon after.

“After our first year of teaching group classes, Alison and I realised that there were no places here that offered a fusion of ballet training with fitness in a way that we liked. So we came up with the Ballet Body concept,” shared Chin.

“What we really wanted was to run a ballet class with a touch of fitness and Pilates while still keeping to the integrity of the art form,” Carroll added.

Ballet Body offers three classes: Basics that’s aimed at beginners, Classic, focused on sculpting, toning, and strengthening the body, and Stretch, a session designed to aid in muscle recovery.

“In all of Ballet Body’s classes, you’re working on flexibility, strength, coordination and balance while connecting the mind with your body. It’s a great workout to complement your other forms of training,” Carroll explained.