bal · let { noun: ballet }

Ballet is characterized by light, graceful, fluid movements and the use of pointe shoes. Doesn’t it sound a bit like yoga but with the shoes?

There are many similarities between the two types of movements. Both combine strength with fluidity. We create beautiful shapes using our bodies. Ballet, of course, is a performance, meant for other people to enjoy, but yoga was not, until now.

Yoga as a Performance

Youtube gave us informative tutorials on yoga and free yoga sessions, but Instagram videos are more than that. They are digital performances and like most performances, we want to be awed and entertained. A combination of good lighting, location, cute clothes, beautifully managed hair, music, and viola!

Yoga as a performance means we are seeing more poses that enhance the body’s silhouette. So it’s not surprising that for every four images of yoganidrasana on Instagram, there are 25 images of kapotasana.

Or that you’ll see more toes pointed than flexed since it makes the legs look longer. Instead of the strong straight fingers, you’ll see a hint of ballet hand positions.

The Gear

Even top yoga gear brands such as Alo Yoga and Lululemon are coming out with hues that hark to the soft ballet palette. Are you inspired yet, for your practice to incorporate some ballet?