16 Photos That Prove Ballerinas Are Strong AF

1. Ballet is a truly ~majestic~ sport.

 

Look at that grace.

2. But looking this flawless does NOT come easy.

 

Nope.

3. To start, you have to put the time in when you’re young.

 

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.”

 

Whoever invented this is Satan.

5. Then there’s the intense s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g…

 

My pelvis hurts looking at this.

6. Which can really pay off for some people.

 

Well, damn.

7. After a lot of practice, you get HELLA STRONG.

 

Yes, mama.

8. JUST LOOK AT THAT CALF MUSCLE.

 

Get it.

9. And then you take up flying as a pastime.

 

Look. At. That. Air.

10. DAMN.

Whoa whoa.

11. And your feet decide that you’re probs never going to wear sandals again.

 

Sweat, blood, tears, blood, blood.

12. I MEAN.

 

Warrior toes, people.

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

 

If you’re a dancer, you’ve definitely soaked your feet in painfully cold water before.

14. And there might even be surgery.

 

Hang in there, foot.

15. But then you remember the rush of turning your body into a piece of music.

Priceless.

16. And you just keep on killing it. And killing it. And KILLING IT.