Point Work... Ever?

[Alwaysthelast]

Hi Mates on Ballet Talk!

 

I am 14 years old, and have been doing ballet since I was a child. I feel like now I have come to a halt, seeing that I weigh 155 pounds, and stand at about 5'9" Feet. I dont feel great or graceful anymore, and have lost almost all of my flexibility besides my 1 hour per day workout at ballet, 7 days a week. My Pirouttes are the worst though, and I feel like I can not turn anymore. My Dance Inssttructor will not allow the start of pointe until one can do a successful double turn. My whole class is advancing to triple turns and Pointe Class. Here are my questions:

 

What Can I do to help my Pirouttes?

How can I get my Releve` higher?

What can I do to strengthen myself for Pointe?

 

Thank You,

Ryan Emma

(I am a girl even though I have a boy's Name)

[Mel Johnson]

Hi Ryan. Welcome to Ballet Talk for Dancers.

 

It sounds like you've just gone through a growth spurt, and everything is not working the way it was before. You just have to let everything grow back into function, and you'll be all right. Chances are, you know how to do what you need to do, but the body is just not cooperating. Give it time.

[Alwaysthelast]

Thanks Mel!!!! You really put things into perspective for me. I did just go through a growth spurt, and it did in fact throw thing out of whack. I will just try to work through it, and I'll try to adjust! Who knows, maybe longer legs may help with my ballet!!!

 

 

Thanks,

Ryan

 

 

 

By the way, do you know how to change your location? When I signed up I was in the United States, but I live in London,UK.

[Mel Johnson]

Just look at the top of the page, and find "My Controls". Click. In the left-hand frame there's a choice "edit profile". You can change it there.

[Alwaysthelast]

Thank You Mel!! Oh, yes. I have another question. Do you have a direct link to where I can see the teachers' bio and profile? I would love to read about all of you administrators and your training! I would love to be a ballet teacher some day!

[Mel Johnson]

Well, here's Ms. Leigh's:

 

http://www.balletalert.com/housekeeping/bi...toriaLeigh.html

 

And here's mine:

 

http://www.balletalert.com/housekeeping/bios/MelJohnson.html

 

Sorry, but my "dancing" picture didn't survive the change of software when we created the Ballet Talk for Dancers board. But wouldn't you hate to have that guy with the sword sitting at the front of YOUR class???

[Mel Johnson]

And here's Ms. Schneider's from the Harid Conservatory's faculty listing:

 

http://www.harid.edu/ballet%20faculty.htm

[dancemaven]

Alwaysthelast, please do Mr. Johnson the honor of addressing him respectfully, as in "Mr. Johnson" or "Major Mel". He is both your elder and a teacher. He deserves appropriate respect in keeping with ballet etiquette. Thank you.

[borntodance]

Hi Mates on Ballet Talk!

 

I am 14 years old, and have been doing ballet since I was a child.  I feel like now I have come to a halt, seeing that I weigh 155 pounds, and stand at about 5'9" Feet.  I dont feel great or graceful anymore, and have lost almost all of my flexibility besides my 1 hour per day workout at ballet, 7 days a week.  My Pirouttes are the worst though, and I feel like I can not turn anymore.  My Dance Inssttructor will not allow the start of pointe until one can do a successful double turn. My whole class is advancing to triple turns and Pointe Class. Here are my questions:

 

What Can I do to help my Pirouttes?

How can I get my Releve` higher?

What can I do to strengthen myself for Pointe?

 

Thank You,

Ryan Emma

(I am a girl even though I have a boy's Name)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

To help your pirouttes I would suggest trying to go up first rather than trying to turn. To help your Releve I would suggest trying the Thera Band and trying to strenghthin your arch. That can also help you along the way with making your feet strong enough for pointe work

Good Luck

Hope you can use my ideas

 

Katy

[pinkpointes101]

I agree with Borntodance--you should use a therband to strengthen your arches, which will help you with releves, and to get ready for pointe. You can also try picking up a pen or writing the alphabet with your toes.

[Mel Johnson]

Time to straighten up here, gang. Too much input from too many sources. On Young Dancers, the advice comes from Ms. Leigh, vrsfanatic, or me. Follow-on questions and anecdotes may then follow.

 

And I disapprove of picking things up with the toes or writing your name with them. That produces clenched feet and encourages sickle-in.

[Alwaysthelast]

Major Mel,

 

 

I am so sorry that I did not call you by the "proper" name!! I feel horrible! I will kniw in future to addres you properly. I am super Sorry! Thanks you for the links, though!

 

 

Thanks,

Ryan

[Mel Johnson]

Don't worry, Ryan. I don't stand on ceremony, myself, but the honorifics are a part of the ballet tradition, so I guess we have to be respectful of the tradition.