I will always believe this opinion and push it to everyone I meet. Ballet is for everyone. And come to think of it, this opinion is not confined only to me. There are many others, dance and ballet authorities even, who have stated similar thoughts and ideas themselves.

Just take a look at these examples of people who you probably would not expect to be involved in ballet. For example, pro golfer Kris Tschetter has said in an interview that "I danced all through junior high and high school, then took it up again three years ago to get in better shape". Another example is the Diablo Ballet in Contra Costa, CA was started by engineers, who wanted a place to become involved with this fine art. He believes that engineering and ballet have a lot in common, they say, since both use structural dynamics.

You see? Anybody can study ballet; as long as you have the will to learn. There is an increase in people's awareness that leading a good life includes leading a healthy one, which has also lead many to studying ballet. Ballet provides a complete warm-up, called barre, which when executed properly, progressively gets the muscles from head to toe working. It is not just exercise for the heart and lungs, since ballet helps develops strength and flexibility in all the major muscle groups of the body.

You have to keep in mind, though, that ballet is a slow process; the learning and the benefits that come along with it involves a slow process. Enrolling in ballet classes and expecting major results after a week or so will just leave you frustrated and disappointed. If you attend class regularly, you may not see results from class to class, then without knowing it, you'll notice that you can do something you weren't able to before. Each class develops your body slowly but surely, adding incremental changes and improvements, until you can suddenly see and feel these changes.

But the benefits of ballet is not only restricted to the physical; it's also good for your mental health. It requires a great deal of focus where your mind lets go of other thoughts. When class is over, your mind returns to the daily norm, but you will sense a clearer and more refreshed view of the world. Some friends have confided in me that this particular benefit is the one that keeps them going, despite the difficult exercises. If ever I walk into ballet class upset or confused, I walk out and my mind has cleared; the world looks like a much brighter place.

All you really need is a good pair of ballet slippers, plus a leotard and tights. Wearing these will allow the teacher to observe your body in order to give corrections and recommendations for proper postures and placement. Leave your jewelry at home, though, and if you have long hair, make sure to tie it up and keep it off your face to get a better view and avoid distractions.

So, are you interested yet? Want to know how to get involved? Go ahead and join your local ballet school today! Find out where your local dance schools are and find out what kind of classes they offer for beginners. You may even find classes available at your local fitness center or recreation center. Most of them will allow you to watch a class first, or you could take class as a drop-in. This way, you can get a feeling of the atmosphere of a ballet class and of what's in store for you. You can also decide whether you like the atmosphere of the class and feel like you can work with the teacher. Once you find a class you feel comfortable in, you're on your way to having a good start in ballet.