Exercises for at home

[angelamdancer]

I know that it's not completely safe, but I'm teaching myself pointe at home. My teacher told me that I could go on pointe, but my mom wouldn't pay for all the classes that I would have to take, so I've been following along with the exercises in "The Pointe Book" an with the video "My First Pointe Shoes." Does anyone know any exercises that I can do at home on Pionte? I know that it's dangerous, but this is the only possible way.

[kellyisthebestintheworld]

aren't you afraid of hurting yourself?

[angelamdancer]

I am a little afraid of hurting myself, but there is a chapter in "The Pointe Book" on injuries, and injury prevention, and I'm being really careful. So if anyone out there has some exercises I would really appreciate it if they would let me know.

[Victoria Leigh]

Hello angelamdancer, welcome to Ballet Talk for Dancers! (I moved this into Young Dancers, which is where questions about ballet go. Not sure whether it should be in 13-16 or 17-22, but I made a guess that it was 13-16. If that is not correct, I can move it again.)

 

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not do pointe work on your own at home, without pointe classes at your studio! This is just not at all a good thing to do, and definitely not safe. How many classes a week do you take in ballet technique? If your teacher wants you on pointe, then she must place you where you will get the pointe work in classes. I'm sure she would not want you to be doing it on your own.

[angelamdancer]

There is no way that I will be able to take class at my studio. I may be able to take some private lessons, and get into some open classes, but my parents won't even pay for me to take two ballet technique classes a week! (I know that that makes the situation worse, but I really want to go on pointe!) I also have a ballet technique video that I do regularly. Do you have any suggestions of what I could do to be on pionte.

[Victoria Leigh]

No, I'm very sorry, but I will not recommend anything for you to do at home. Ballet is not something one can learn without a teacher, and pointe is NOT something that anyone should do without a great deal of training in ballet technique. I know that is not what you want to hear, but that's the way it is, angelamdancer. In order to learn ballet you MUST take classes, and in order to achieve a level advanced enough for pointe work you need several years of several classes a week with a very qualified teacher. Ballet is not learned from a book or video.

 

Work with your parents in terms of figuring out how to afford classes. Offer to babysit, clean house, whatever. Go to the teacher and ask for financial help. You might be able to do some work in the studio to pay, or help pay, for your classes. But for now, please put away the pointe shoes!

[angelamdancer]

I understand that I cannot do it at home, but is it o.k. to take open classes, and private lessons. Also, is the technique video a good idea even without pointe or should I just stick with my one class a week at the studio?

[Mel Johnson]

Yes, I would say take open classes. Private lessons aren't much good for you at this point. You need others around you. And shop around. Don't do videos until you've got good control over rudimentary technique. Take more classes!

[Victoria Leigh]

Private lessons are very expensive. If you can afford privates, certainly that money would be better spent in classes right now. That way you would get a lot more time of study.

[kellyisthebestintheworld]

this is kinda off topic, but what's the difference between video classes and actual class? is it that at class there's an actual person watching you?

[Victoria Leigh]

Kelly, there is a WORLD of difference! One simply cannot properly learn ballet without a teacher. And a studio, with a proper floor and the space to work. A barre of correct height. Mirrors. Music. But most of all, a TEACHER! One must be constantly corrected. Just seeing something and then doing it will not work with ballet. It is not a natural art form, and requires so many things that require someone not only showing, but fixing, with their hands, and correcting constantly. Combinations need to be put together based on the level of the class and what they need to learn and to do at this moment in time. No video can do that. Don't even think about it!

[kellyisthebestintheworld]

that's what I thought! I just wanted to ask an adult, and you were here, so it all worked out.

[angelamdancer]

Could you please tell me some pre-pointe exercises that I can do on soft shoe? I took a pre-pointe class this summer, but I don't remeber all the exercises we did. I am also in the process of working out getting into more ballet technique classes and something so that I can get on pointe with a teacher so thanks for all the tips.

[Mel Johnson]

Angela, given the amount of training you've had, you really don't know enough to set up your own regimen at home. At this juncture, it's class time, or no business! Even a simple plié-relevé on both feet could reinforce bad habits like leaning forward, or sticking out in back, or not getting heels down, or, or, or.... There's just no way. You would even, indeed probably, end up with legs that look like they belong on an upright piano, or a power lifter.

[angelamdancer]

Classes it is then I finally got everything worked out with my mom!