Ballet Exercises - Core Strength and Pointe Work

by Vanille

Ballet Exercises - Core Strength and Pointe Work

Hello Odette,
I started ballet five months ago ( a bit less maybe) and I love it! I think I may go on pointe next year so in september but I wanted to know if this is too soon...
Going on pointe with only 9 months of ballet training is ok?
Also I wanted to ask you how could I improve my core and my strength in general?
Finally I just got my split in the right side, should I hold it for about 40 seconds or more?
For training ballet do you have any classical music in youtube that I could use?
Thank you!
Vanille.

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Reply by Odette
To:- Ballet Exercises - Core Strength and Pointe Work


Remember, just like I did before I went en pointe, ballet students MUST take responsibility for their own strengthening prior to beginning pointe work.
Australian dancer, Lisa Howell has made a video which explains how pre-point strengthening works.
Don't leave it to your teacher!
You can watch this pre-pointe video
yourself here (just wait for the page to load up then the video is on the top right of the page).

Hi Vanille,
Thank you for your message, I'm delighted to hear from you and your new love for ballet! I'm pleased you're enjoying it and it's great you found my site. You can keep me updated with how you're doing and I'd love to help you improve to become the best dancer you can be!

For pointe, it truly varies with each dancer to when you are ready for pointe shoes. It depends much on your age and whether you are strong enough in the technique of classical ballet to support for you for pointe. If you look above, Australian dancer, Lisa Howell has made a video which explains how pre-point strengthening works. I would recommend you listening to the advice given here, as Lisa Howell gives some superb tips for pre pointe.

I think one of the best and most convenient exercises to improve your core is The Plank. If you type this in google, you will see pages of videos and descriptions of how to do this exercise. Many ballet dancers practice this daily for as little as 1 minute repeated 3 times. It is great to activate your core and create the strength in your body.

On my ballet video page, you will see the Darcey Bussell's pilates DVD which is a great example of an exercise program to improve your strength. There are of course many more DVDS like this, but this is one I've tried and would reccommend the exercises here for ballet dancers to strengthen up!

Yes, I would say 30 seconds is a good amount to hold your splits position for. As long as you remember to keep breathing and gradually go further into the stretch if you can, this is sure to improve your flexibility. You can also see my ballet stretches page for more essential tips on stretching.

Again, it's super to hear from you and please do keep in touch.

Best wishes,
Odette

ps. To become the best dancer you can be, learn the Seven Secrets ..... go to my 'Seven Secrets of Ballet' page