pointe question

[kellylynn]

This is silly of me to ask considering that I was on pointe at age 12. I was only on pointe for a year and then I quit ballet until recently at age 25. I guess I just didn't understand the "mechanics" of it when I was 12 and thats why I have to resort to asking this question. What makes a dancer "ready" for pointe? I know your technique has to be strong and your body has to be ready, but how does a teacher or a dancer "know?" Is there like a list of things that you must be able to do before you can consider pointe or is it just...."oh well you've been dancing for three years and you can do this and that so you should try pointe?" I would one day like to get back on pointe again. I wouldn't let myself do that anytime soon. I would like to spend at least two or three in consecutive intermediate classes before I even attempt it. I was just wondering what made me ready at twelve, and what would make me ready in the future? I know its an annoying question but I'm sure other flat slipper dancers would like to solve the mystery the whole "pointe issue." thanks!

[jazzyme]

There are threads all over the pointe board for this, the sticky ones, like 'A Pointe Readiness Issue', and stuff like that. Try running a search of the board.

Also, it's not just physical readiness, but mental readiness. There's a lot of pressure sometimes to get into pointe and some people don't know what they're getting into. They just want to do it to be doing it. You seem very willing to do the required work, though, and that's wonderful. Good luck!

[psavola]

I don't think a student who has not had a lot of previous experience with pointe work can know when they are ready (read: strong, skilled and knowledgeable enough). One can just find the best training they can and then trust the teacher.

 

As I've understood it (moderators, please correct me if I'm wrong), pointe readiness is less about being able to do certain checklist of things - it is more about being able to do all things you do correctly enough all the time. And a beginning student is a relly poor judge of that "enough" in their own placement and body alignment!

 

I know I was scared when I was told to go buy pointe shoes, and worried that my teacher was making a mistake in putting me "up" too soon. In the end I decided to just trust my teacher, and it turned out all right.

 

 

Päivi

[Mel Johnson]

Päivi, you've hit the nail on the head. I couldn't have said it better myself!

[Guest kellbell]

i read somwhere, that in terms of a way to determin a degree of foot, leg, back strength a student should be able to maintain a steady demi-pointe for 10-15sec on each leg (other leg in retire (sp?))before starting pointe training.

 

Not sure if this is a reliable thing, just something i remembered reading...

[kellylynn]

thanks. that does help a little bit. I guess there is no formula to tell if one is ready for pointe. It seems to me that it is more of an individual thing. I was just wondering how a teacher can tell by looking at the way a student dances. But I guess there is no right answer.

[dancepig]

After starting pointe work as an adult, I find there is another item to consider when deciding how "ready" a person is to do pointe work. For whatever reason (perhaps it is the higher elavation?), whenever I'm doing pointe work, my brain seems to go on vacation! The simplest steps, Pas de bourrée, Échappé, etc. fly completely out of my head! So if I didn't have the steps, terms and all of the rest of it down to an almost auto pilot reaction, I don't know what I would do. And just think if I didn't have all of the voices in my head telling me to keep my shoulders down, hips square, chin up, MORE PLIÉ!!! I personally couldn't imagine doing pointe work without a very solid foundation in the basic fundamentals of ballet. I have seen many people who are strong enough and have enough balance to be able to do the steps (at the barre) wearing pointe shoes, but they would not be able to perform the exercise, step or pattern with correct body and foot placement or the proper form. Perhaps I'm just more aware of this "intelligence factor" that I feel is necessary because I started pointe work as an adult.

[duckie9876]

Dancepig,

I started laughing when I read this post -- it sounds so much like me! For some reason, the pointe shoes come on and everything else goes away. For example, the sleeping beauty variation was being taught to the class. I've seen this so many dozens of times from Prix de Laussanne website, and I've learned it on flat by myself,but for some reason, on pointe, I couldn't do the first 8 counts...go figure...

 

 

  For whatever reason (perhaps it is the higher elavation?), whenever I'm doing pointe work, my brain seems to go on vacation!  The simplest steps, Pas de bourrée, Échappé, etc. fly completely out of my head! 

[dancepig]

I'm glad to know at least one other person has this problem, and look how long you've been dancing!! I am just fortunate there is one other adult beginning pointe student who understands why I have three different facial expressions during pointe class, they are - Deer caught in headlights; Eyebrows stuck in hairline and my favorite - She wants me to do what??? I am curious as to where you're taking class in Northern California, I was born and raised in the Bay Area and took as many classes as was allowed at DVC. Now I'm just stuck living in what my adult kids call a "frozen version of hell"