In a recent interview with People, actor Chris Pine has revealed his newfound love of ballet, saying he wished he had started “years ago.” The celeb, who stars in the upcoming espionage film All the Old Knives alongside Thandiwe Newton and Michelle Williams, came to ballet in a fairly unusual way.
“I had watched this video of this great Russian dancer dancing to Hozier in this church. I was like, ‘Who is this guy? I want to look like that.’ He’s a ballet dancer. And I was like, ‘I should take ballet,’” Pine said. “It’s an incredible workout.” [Editor’s note: For those who are curious, although Pine doesn’t name the exact video in question, we’re pretty sure he’s talking about a 2015 music video directed by David LaChapelle, starring dancer Sergei Polunin. You can watch it here.]
Ballet, like other styles of dance and movement, offers a range of health benefits. The physical benefits are pretty straightforward: It builds coordination, strength, flexibility, and balance. But the benefits for mental health get a little more interesting. According to one study, dancing has a “revitalizing” effect on people with depression; while another study showed that traditional dance forms could potentially maintain the functional capacity of elderly people and help them to lead “a more qualitative and independent lifestyle.” And other studies have shown dance has additional positive effects on the brain. One study found it may help stop age-related declines in cognitive functions or even improve neuroplasticity (the capacity of the brain to form new pathways in response to new information) in another review.
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Pine went on to say that he feels dance is a unique way of expressing oneself through the body, and also striking a kind of balance. “I just find it so beautiful, because you have to be so strong and kind of masculine, so to speak, but also very gentle and feminine with your arms and your hands. It’s just a very difficult art form,” the actor said.
He’s certainly right. It’s no secret that ballet dancers often undergo demanding, highly technical training for a decade or longer, and often begin to practice at very young ages. On top of the obviously competitive job market, injuries are considered by some to be an “inevitable part of a career in ballet.” However, if you’re interested in taking up ballet as a new hobby or to spice up your workouts, there are less intense ways to give it a try, as Pine has. You can take check out beginner classes in your area or even look for online training.
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Source: SELF
