The idea I have is to understand ballet to enhance a martial artist and not to take valuable time away by learning none viable techniques or movements.There are many conditioning exercises that ballet dancers already have in common with martial artists, that is a bonus in itself. Bruce Lee used a bar when training similar to ballet as his was metal and not wooden. Barr work for martial artists for strengthening, posture and balance is common place in ballet studios but not so much in dojos. I seek out welded handrails in public places for practicing with, a wooden barr such as used in a ballet studio, wouldn't be strong enough for my purposes. Bruce Lee's kicking techniques can be learned and improved upon by practicing with a metal horizontal bar. Another thing (all) martial artists can borrow from the ballet world is flexibility techniques. By learning to stretch individual muscles instead of in groups; then strengthening specific muscle groups when conditioning them By becoming more sophisticated in all aspects of training and performing; so as to become an intelligent, effecient fighters and not like many muscle headed brutes, that have more in common with the animal kingdom. I agree with everything you have said. I think ballet is a great supplement to the martial arts, from high kicking in the striking arts to resistance of submissions in grappling. Look at Summer Glau in the serenity film and Sarah Conner chronicles. Emily Blunt in Die Another Day film. Both have benefited from ballet.
