Defining work for the contemporary ballet student

In ballet the value of hard work does not go unnoticed. The discipline and determination that one must have to fully immerse oneself in the ballet experience can be recognized just by observing the amount of time dedicated to the craft. The ability to surpass normal levels of tolerance for pain and work through physically and mentally strenuous exercises despite the difficulties of what is being asked. The perseverance it takes to come to class day after day and even in class while working the same muscles over and over again is admirable. As my teacher back home used to tell me: "If you miss one class, you notice. If you miss two classes everyone notices". He was commenting on the fact that ballet is a cumulative practice, and one does not progress without studying and tweaking from the basic and then building. It's an ongoing fight between mind and body and a beautiful display once one knows how to apply the technique to ones body.