Ballet pointe shoes - When can I get a pair?

by Shana W.
(Los Angeles)

Ballet pointe shoes - When can I get a pair?

Shana

I have not been taking ballet for so long but I feel that I am ready for ballet pointe shoes. I am in a class where everyone is two or three years older than me but they are all on pointe! My younger sister is in a class that is younger but even they go on pointe the last 15 minutes of class. How do I tell my teacher that I think I am ready for pointe shoes?

======================================

Reply By Odette

to:- Ballet pointe shoes - When can I get a pair?


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).


Hello Shana,

Thank you for your query, it's lovely to hear from you.

Starting to wear ballet pointe shoes is a big step for every dancer. Not just your dancing needs to be ready, but also your mind. You need to take full responsibility of knowing the ins and outs of pointe work. Pre-pointe training will support you with the essential details you need to know.

Everyone is individual and therefore, each person determines when they are ready for pointe. It won't affect dancers if they start wearing ballet pointe shoes a bit later than everyone else, but it will affect dancers if they start too early.

It's ideal not to start before the age of 10 or 12 and you need to have studied ballet enough time to begin pointe. Being ready for ballet pointe shoes means you are stable enough in your technique to give you the sufficient support. Your posture should be exact and the strength in your ankles should be secure.

If you really feel as though you are ready for ballet pointe shoes, then I would discuss your thoughts with your teacher. Explain to her your curiosity to start pointe work and ask if she thinks you are ready for this stage.

You say you have not been taking ballet for so long, in which case, your teacher may just be waiting for you to build up that little bit more strength and stability.

All the best,

Odette

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