What are the odds

[Guest abbymariaaa32]

I snowboard, and i've snowboarded for 6 years. I'm on a team and compete in many competitions. This year, to improve in snowboarding and for my love of dance and ballet, i joined ballet classes. I'm super stoked, especially since i'm not the only 15 year old girl starting ballet as I read on the threads. I'm in pretty good shape with good and improving flexibility, wicked balence, and my strength is good and improving aswell. I bought my ballet shoes and such and wayy before i even knew the difference of pointe shoes and ballet shoes, i could already do pointe pretty much.and by pretty much i mean stand on my toes. I have the right form, and turn out etc. and I have really good arches and strong ankles from so many years of snowboard training, and luckily have that to my advantage. haha plus, i'm already used to taping my feet.I know its not good for my feet to "practice pointe" but i've just become consumed with dancing that Its becoming a governing and domineering way of life, no longer a part of my life. I guess what i'm saying is I'm getting really serious about ballet and dance, so with the advantages that I have, I was simply wondering a ballpark figure of when I'll be able to do pointe for real, assuming I work hard and everything, which I will. Dance really is one of the best ways to express yourself, and I value that art so, if anyone could hit me back i would appreciate it immensly. Thanks.

Edited August 22, 2006 by abbymariaaa32

[Guest abbymariaaa32]

oh and i'm not sure about the wheres and hows of the threads yet so if this needs to be changed or moved go for it and i apologize for putting it in the wrong place.

[vrsfanatic]

abbymariaaa32 there is a bit of concern since you have not mentioned a teacher working with you on pointe. Pointe shoes are not a toy. They are something that is given to a student of ballet when a certain technical level of development has been accomplished. How long have you studied balet and how many days a week do you study?

[Guest abbymariaaa32]

I'm not sure if there is some confusion but i dont own pointe shoes, and my ballet will be twice a week for 2 hours to start, and then my teacher will further place me where she sees fit if she feels i'm advanced enough or need work on something so on and so forth. Believe me, I'm aware of the pointe shoe situation and i dont consider them toys. They are dangerous when played around with like, i get this concept. I have the good ol' split sole ballet shoes. That was what i was implying. I apolgize if i didnt make that clear.

[vrsfanatic]

...before i even knew the difference of pointe shoes and ballet shoes, i could already do pointe pretty much.and by pretty much i mean stand on my toes.

 

Thank you for clearing up the concern. It is best however not to stand on your toes without pointe shoes!

 

Without seeing you it is not possible to guestemate how long before you are ready to study pointe work. Speak with your teacher to see what the geneeral time frame is in your school but please do remember that it is a very individual issue.

 

Your enthusiasm for ballet is really quite lovely! Enjoy!

[Mel Johnson]

OK, abby, you're about three years away from pointework if you're just starting now. Believe me, there is no way to hurry up the development process. Marie Taglioni, when she introduced the extensive use of pointework, was 28 years old when she did that. She'd had a lot of time to polish up the old strength and technique before doing it.

[Guest abbymariaaa32]

You validate a good point. That does put things into perspective alot, thank you both!