1. Ballet is a truly ~majestic~ sport.
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Look at that grace.
2. But looking this flawless does NOT come easy.
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Nope.
3. To start, you have to put the time in when you're young.
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Yes, that man is pushing that little boy's foot into the floor with a cane.
4. And you have to use torture devices like this limb-cracker aka a "foot stretcher."

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Whoever invented this is Satan.
5. Then there's the intense s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g...

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My pelvis hurts looking at this.
6. Which can really pay off for some people.

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Well, damn.
7. After a lot of practice, you get HELLA STRONG.
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Yes, mama.
8. JUST LOOK AT THAT CALF MUSCLE.

Pickled Thoughts / Via instagram.com
Get it.
9. And then you take up flying as a pastime.
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Look. At. That. Air.
10. DAMN.
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Whoa whoa.
11. And your feet decide that you're probs never going to wear sandals again.

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Sweat, blood, tears, blood, blood.
12. I MEAN.

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Warrior toes, people.
13. And, like any difficult sport, there will be injuries.

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If you're a dancer, you've definitely soaked your feet in painfully cold water before.
14. And there might even be surgery.

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Hang in there, foot.
15. But then you remember the rush of turning your body into a piece of music.
Will B. Bell / Via youtube.com
Priceless.
16. And you just keep on killing it. And killing it. And KILLING IT.
Erik Cavanaugh / Via youtube.com
17. Because you're a dancer for ~life~.

Pickled Thoughts / Via instagram.com