Once considered fancy dancing performed only by experts and enjoyed only by the upper classes in Europe, ballet is moving in a new direction. In Shanghai a former Chinese great wants to take the art to the masses, writes Nie Xin

Ouyang Xuan has dreamed of being a ballerina, but when she finally got to pull on a pair of ballet shoes, it felt better than she ever could have imagined.

Once considered fancy dancing performed only by experts, ballet is now moving in a new direction in Shanghai as former Chinese ballet dancer Cai Yilei (bottom) plans to take the art to the masses.(Photo Source: Shanghai Daily)

At the recommendation of a friend, the 30-year-old cosmetics company employee from Chongqing attended a lecture by Cai Yilei, a former renowned Chinese ballet dancer.

During the session Ouyang was able to try some basic ballet steps under the direction of Cai.

"I'd never done it before even though I am very interested in ballet arts. It's classic, elegant and attractive," says Ouyang. "I felt very good when I did some of the basic movements."

She is now considering joining Cai's club to start learning ballet.

In China, gymnastics and dance are no longer strange words when it comes to keeping fit. From jogging to swimming, yoga to pilates, salsa to Latin, people are getting more and more involved in trendy health clubs for beauty, fitness or a more healthy, active lifestyle.

But to most Chinese people, ballet is still considered to be a high-brow art which, originated in France in the 17th century, became popular across Europe.

The gap between ballet and the Chinese general public seems too wide to leap over.

But now, through the efforts of some Chinese ballet artists, people in Shanghai are getting the opportunity to gain a better understanding of ballet - and join the fun if they want.