EXPERIENCE: I have taken ballet previously when i was younger (age 3-7) then i stopped and did other dance-related sports (stepping [not tap dancing, this is African], jazz, hiphop, folkloric dances, etc.) I did a kind of "trial class" at this studio for a few months. I would say I have an "almost-ballet-scuplted" foot, and I am a talented dancer (not necessarily in ballet, but almost).
I have my mind set on being a professional dancer (it's almost desperate! [-: ) I desperately want to go en pointe. HOW DO I GET MYSELF READY AT HOME? *I don't want to injure myself*
2006-07-09 09:38:34 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Dancing
You need to take at least 2-3 ballet classes a week to get your technique up to speed. Pointe seriously sucks, but you learn to ignore it.
People with nice arches usually have weaker ankles, so you need to strengthen them by doing releves, or working with a theraband or some sort of resistance. For more effective releves do them on stairs, push your heel all the way down and raise your self onto releves with straight legs.
Good Luck!
2006-07-09 16:33:23 · answer #1 · answered by ballerina_kim 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Becoming a professional ballet dancer is very very hard! How old are you? If you haven't started en pointe by the time you are out of your teenage years then it's harder to do. And becoming a professional dancer is out of the question. But to answer you question on how to get ready to start en pointe is easier.
Start back with the basics....tons of releves to build those calf muscles. The part that needs to be strengthened the most if your ankle. Releves will help tons with that too but also doing lots of bar work in general. Just taking a ballet class will help tons! And then once you're feeling stronger in your ankles ask your instructor if he/she thinks you are ready. It's quite a simple test they will do. They'll probably just have you releve all the way up onto your toes (with tons of assistance from the bar) and check your ankles and all that stuff. They will be able to asess your legs and ankles. DON'T just think you are ready and go down and buy pointe shoes and start. You will injure yourself. Even if you don't take a class, find a studio and ask their instructor. Then once you start it is very very important that you take a pointe class because most people will try to do too much too early.
2006-07-09 17:30:54 · answer #2 · answered by kia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can do separate exercises, but you cannot self train to go en pointe. You need to be in ballet classes 2-4 times a week for 1-2 hours each class. You need to be stretching regularly. You will then need to add an additional pointe class to teach you the proper technique. After 6 months or a year, you will need to increase your classes to 3-5 times a week, at least half of those en pointe.
You cannot learn this alone and be proper. Only a trained professional can tell you what you are doing wrong and how to be safe. 4 years training as a child will just not cut it.
You say you want to be a professional, but if you injure yourself by not learning under someone's guidance, you won't become one. You could *easily* break your ankle, your toes, your foot by having improper technique. You could *easily* tear your tendons, ligaments, and muscles just by stepping incorrectly en pointe. This wouldn't just put a damper on and possibly end your ballet career, but your other dance careers as well.
I don't mean to come across as cruel or as cold, I just hate to see young dancers try to do pointe when they aren't ready. Please, find a good teacher and work with him/her. It will be the best way to work en pointe! : )
2006-07-09 21:31:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You CAN'T get yourself ready at home. You MUST take ballet class and be under a professional teacher's supervision in order to prepare to go en pointe. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY AROUND THE NEED FOR FORMAL TRAINING. None. Zip. Don't listen to anyone who tells you otherwise, or you WILL get injured.
2006-07-09 17:56:09 · answer #4 · answered by Janine 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
follow the advice from 'janine_rs' and 'replicansarecruel'...the only extra thing i can add is to take up pilates classes...the pelvic floor is the most important muscle for the dancer and it needs to be strong and stable. This is where the majority of movement comes from.
ps. go to actual pilates classes...do not buy a dvd or video...you need to make sure and learn that u r actually turning on your pelvic floor and doing it properly...if you go to a class and still unsure ask the instructor after class to help you clarify it more...they r there to help.
2006-07-11 00:59:57 · answer #5 · answered by Natti 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Strech, run, get into shape do a warm up and cool down w/ every work out to not injure yourself
2006-07-10 18:07:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get those thighs tight, your calves hard and work on your toe muscles!!
Lots of Plettes, lots of stair rises, lots of stretching!!!!
2006-07-09 16:43:58 · answer #7 · answered by DEATH 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
stretch stretch and stretch more the best way 2 b become flexible and stronger is stretch and myb get a thera-band u can get them herehttp://www.discountdance.com/frame_set.php3?mf=/search.php
2006-07-09 23:05:50 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋