I have been dancing on pointe for half a year, but I am horrible. All my other classmates are better . help?!?

Question

I have been dancing ballet since i was 6 and i stopped for about a year, but i still loved it. Now that i am on pointe, i can't turn well, jump high, or balance very well. I really feel depressed because everyone is so much better (and skinnier!) Can someone give me tips on pointe shoe techniques?!

Answer 1

Try these:
On pointe, you will balance better if you stay on your big toe, that way, you will not fall back.
Another thing: what helps balance is to pull up the back of your neck. That way, it helps you pull up, makes you look taller, and lightens the weight on your hips, so you will balance better.
Next, for turns, same goes about the neck. Feel the back of it really pulling up... and stay on your big toes, and have your back staight and more fron t than back. What else helps is spotting faster. Also, push your heels into the ground before you turn, and keep your arms intact...I touch my fingers when i turn. It helps. Turns for me to the left were bad until i tried more spotting... it really helped!
For higher jumping, push your heels into the floor before you jump... but that does not mean that you have to pull your body front... keep your back more straight! For bigger jumps, when you have to split your legs in the air, practice doing the splits on the ground, and when you can, kick your frong leg high when you jump, so that the back leg comes up higher too. I hope this helps!!!

Answer 2

Remember to always use your core to balance, since it all comes from the center. Same thing with turning, since it's basically like a releve.
I'm not sure, but it could be that you aren't strong enough, but don't worry! Get some TheraBands and work on pointing your foot and flexing it to gain strength for your ankle. Another way to get a little stronger is to do releves! Do them on two feet from first, from one foot, and the other foot on pointe and on flat shoes. Ask your dance teacher for any other ways for strengthening!
And Do Not ever think that they are skinnier! I'm pretty short for a dancer (4 ft 11 in. at the moment, and hope to still grow!) and I'm built pretty compact, but SHORT. So I'm not exactly what people call thin... as long as you are healthy, that's GREAT! :)

I can relate to this...I've been dancing on pointe for 3 years but don't think I'm up to my level. Just means I gotta keep practicing! :) Good luck with pointe, and keep dancing!

Answer 3

Since you have only been on pointe half a year, i wouldnt worry too much. Give it time, and work hard. Make sure you are taking as many ballet classes and pointe classes as you can. I take a level down and do the whole thing on pointe- you get the practice doing simple balances and turns. Good luck!

Answer 4

it just takes a little while to get used to the feeling is all. staying on your big toe will help your balance. as for turns practice a just the prep and hold a piket (sp?) with out spinning. that way you adapt to the new position of being on your toes without spotting, arm position, etc. to think about. for leaps practice a few without your shoes, then a few with your shoes. you'll only get better by practice. as for your weight, don't sweat it!! you don't have to be a stick to dance ballet, in fact it's healthier no to be. heath comes before dance always.

Answer 5

Like the others said, practice. Also, it might be that your shoes are not fitted well. This could affect you getting over the box of your shoes and not being able to balance. Has your teacher checked your shoes/approved them? and did you get fitted at a reputable store? It could also be that the shank is too hard for you and your shoes aren't bending well. Make sure the shoes are okay first, and then work on your technique once you know for sure they fit correctly.

Answer 6

If you've been doing that for 3 years, i think you might be ready! Take into account how long & how strenuous the choreography is & consult with your instructor! I can only assume that you're considering this at your instructor's suggestion, so work out moves that'll showcase your solid abilities. I too heard the call of en pointe years ago, & though i never pursued it i'll never forget how much easier old manouvers were once you're no longer dealing with the extra friction of half-pointe shoes! Good luck & knock 'em out!

Answer 7

Practice.... If you want to get better, don't do JUST ballet, expand your dancing taste. Try different things like Hip hop, jazz, latin, salsa, ballroom....expanding your variety of dance will get you muscular, lean, strong, and able to move. It may take a while, but if you stretch everyday, make a variety of your dancing ( let ballet be your foundation) so you can better at everything. If you take my advice I promise that you'll be WAY better than those skinny girls. If you want to be skinny like them (DO NOT starve yourself) just run and eat healthy, not to mention STRETCH! Tae-Bo is also a very good way to get in shape as well.
Don't worry, you're still young! You can do ANYTHING you set your mind to, just believe in yourself and don't give up, even when times are rough...if you don't believe me, go here: http://thesecret.tv/ I want you to buy the DVD or the book. I promise you that it is worth every penny, this DVD or book proves that us humans can do ANYTHING i mean ANYTHING we set our minds to.

Answer 8

waqnt a cheat that i used to use?
get ur pointe shoes and gently hit the glue block on the end with a hammer thus breaking the hard effect of the pointe shoe and making them softer and easier to go en pointe and keep u there
Also imagine u have a piece of string coming through the centre of ur head and you are bieng pulled up from that when going en pointe it helps establish ur balance and posture better

Answer 9

PRACTICE do not give up. you can get tips from your classmates, but if that doesn't help you can get a private teacher that will focus on you. As far as your classmates being skinnier than you, you should eat healthy food (no fast food) and exercise.
Keep dancing!

Answer 10

Maybe you should switch to another form of dance like jazz, modern dance or tap. Just because you aren't great at one form doesn't mean you can't excel at another. Ballroom dance is big right now, too.