Dancing on Pointe??

Question

How old is too old to dance on pointe? In my area, there's NO adult point classes. I take dance at my college, but they also don't offer point. I'm 19 and I want to learn SO much. I forget a lot of the technique, but I'm dancing 7 hours a week this year and i SO badly want to go on pointe. Advice?

Answer 1

I didn't take up ballet till I was almost your age, and I taught myself pointe at home. You will need a pair of pointe shoes (of course) and something that you can hold on to (that will take some of your weight). Practice lots of releves on two feet in different positions, holding on to your "barre". Start out by rolling up to full pointe and down slowly. The next stage is to practice springing straight from a plie on to your pointes, and rolling down again.

Once you can do the releves on two feet easily, (and are only using your 'barre' for balance, not to carry your weight), you can move on to moves on one foot. For instance: Plie in fifth, tendu to the side with one foot, then push off with your bent leg, (slide along the barre) and step on to your extended toe. Finish with your free leg sur le cou de pied, and try to find your balance before landing back in a plie in fifth, to repeat other side. As you get stronger, you can lift your free leg higher.

When you are on pointe, remember that what keeps you up on pointe is not your feet, it's how well you pull up in your thighs and how strong your ankles are. And for safety's sake, don't get impatient - don't step away from that barre until you are sure you can stand and move solidly on pointe!

Answer 2

Ask a competent dance instructor, maybe an exercise physiologist as well. The shape and strength of your feet and your general fitness will have a role...toe dancing is very hard on the body, but easier on someone who has a strong, not too high arch and a big toe that is not too much longer than the other toes. If you get the go-ahead, check out Gaynor-Minden pointe slippers, which accommodate to the foot and support it.

Answer 3

19? Trust me, you're not too old. I think what you're worried about is the feet formation? I started ballet at 4, and went to the San Francisco Ballet for 3 years, so trust me, I KNOW my stuff... If you worked on the arch of your feet when you danced years ago, then you shouldn't have much of a problem dancing on pointe. Just be sure to strengthen your ankles and legs before attempting this. dancing on pointe takes ALOT of strength. I would hate for you to get injured. However, I have met people who attempt pointe but whose arches are SO bad (they basically have flat feet) they can't even stand on the boxes. They're basically "back" on their pointes. More of a lean, if anything. This is due to improper feet formation and strength. If you don't have somewhat of an arch to your feet, it is a little late to start working on one now. If you try to do pointe constantly, trust me, you WILL end up getting injured. Maybe not severely, but enough to keep you from doing it again. I hope this helps, and GOOD LUCK! I miss ballet alot. Since I moved, I haven't found anywhere to go.

Answer 4

no... i don't think you are too old and if you are strong enough you should have no problem BUT i wouldn't' try it with out first asking a professional instructor. Also, make sure you can take classes somewhere because it will take a lot of time and practice to become a good pointe dancer. Take it from someone whose been there: it's no piece of cake! and you feet will probably bleed and blister many times before the calluses build so be prepared for what you're getting in to. Best of luck!

Answer 5

properly the actuality which you have dance journey is a good element fantastically ballet journey. If I have been you, i might sign in for some ballet training and tell the instructor which you will possibly prefer to progression onto pointe. she would be in a position to tell you while you're waiting (which you should be already besides the indisputable fact that that's perfect to ask) and can inform you ways to get waiting by strengthening your ft and ankles and dealing on appropriate physique alignment. It does no longer be the main secure element to attempt and tech your self pointe, you should possibility harm. yet once you have been to take training, be cleared by an instructor and take a pointe class, you should apply academic DVDs on the realm to help get greater appropriate quicker.

Answer 6

I've been dancing since i was 3, i went on pointe when i was about 8 or 9. I had to wait for my feet to form, and i had to perfect my technique enough so that i wouldn't hurt my ankles, toes, etc. I think that as long as you feel like your ankles are strong enough then you should go for it! As long as you know ballet technique going on pointe should be no problem, its all the same!

Answer 7

okay, well I started last year on pointe when I was 11. Trying doing a google search for pointe classes in your area. I would say that you're probably ready to start. But let me warn you, the shoes really hurt when you first start. You'll need to break them in. You might want to make your first pair Bloch Aspiration. I hope that this helps.

Answer 8

first of all you need to go in astudio and no u r not that old for pointe.i yet have started and im almost ur age but yes like u im dying to start...in studio classes you will begin in flat or the ballet shoes for little girls in a class probably full of little girls but don't worry then as you advace you can start pointe because they have to make sure u hav strong ankles and core so yeah when they know that u have tose things and they see it then they will promote you to pointe...

Answer 9

Dancing school

Answer 10

its much better to start dancing on pointe later rather than earlier