3 replies to this topic

[madeleine]

I have very wobbly ankles. Whenever I stand on one foot, my ankles cannot stay still, and they wobble from side to side which makes it very difficult to balance. It seems to be fine when on demi pointe and pointe, maybe because my ankle is locked. I'm not sure if it is an issue involving ankle strength, my focus, my core strength, or something totally different. If it is my ankle strength, do you know of any strength exercises that could help me?

[Victoria Leigh]

Madeleine, if your ankles were actually weak and wobbly they would not be 'fine on demi pointe and pointe'. There has to be something wrong with your placement when you stand on one foot on flat, and it is most likely that you are over-rotating and/or not moving your weight over your standing leg. When standing on one leg your weight cannot remain where it was on two legs because you do not have a "third leg" in the center of your body.

[cmh701]

Like Victoria said above it is most likely that your weight is in your heel instead of the ball of the foot. If your weight is back on your heel, you are going to have to compensate somewhere else so you don't fall over. Perhaps you are trying to compensate by putting stress on your ankle to find a position in which you can balance. I suggest going to the barre and just try to feel your weight in the ball of your foot and see if that helps create a more stable position for you to balance. Best of Luck!

[Clara 76]

(We usually refer to her as "Miss Leigh" around here. )