How long does it usually take to get on pointe?

Question

I took ballet when I was younger for about three years, but then quit when I was 10. Now, I've only been taking it for about 2 years, and im 15. I really want to get on pointe. If I dance everyday, how long will it take me to get on? My teacher said it would be about three more years... is there anything I can do to work harder and get on faster?

Answer 1

How long it will take you to get en pointe depends on several factors. Your feet and ankles have to be strong enough to support you. Your ballet technique has to be solid. And your commitment has to be strong. Your teacher will consider all these things before allowing you to start. So, it's really to difficult to put a time limit on anyone trying to go en pointe, some girls will progress faster due to natural talent and hard work. It is definitely an individual thing. IF you work hard enough and improve to your teachers satisfaction, it may not take you 3 more years at all.

There are many different steps you can do at home to help your feet and ankles strengthen up.

**Stand with your toes on the edge of a stair or something to get your feet off the ground like a small step stool if you don't have stairs. Now do releves up to a nice tall 3/4 point position, pushing your arch and heel up and over as much as you can. Then lower your feet down below the step as low as you can go. Do these nice and slow at first, a full 8 cts up and a full 8 cts down. Try starting with 10 at a time and work up to more. Then do the same exercise quickly, like 2 cts up and 2 cts down. Start with about 25 of these and then add on.
**Sitting on the floor with you legs straight out or sitting in a chair hold up one leg at a time, use your big toe to "write" the alphabet, first in print then in cursive. Do this with both feet.
**Sit in a chair and put marbles down on the floor. Place all the marbles to the left side of your foot. Moving your foot in a side to side motion, pick up one marble with your toes then drop it off after you've moved your foot to the other side. Continue doing this until you've moved all the marbles from the left side of your foot to the right side. Now move them all back. Do this with both feet.
**Get a theraband, you can order these online here is the link:
http://www.discountdance.com/frame_set.p...
If you get the Gaynor Mindon resistabands, they come with an instruction book with some great exercises for you!
**Just pointing your feet as hard as you can and holding as long as you can is also a good exercise. Do this when you lay down to go to sleep, when you watch tv, when you are doing homework, anytime you can do it.
**Do sautes in first and second positions and make your feet do more work than your legs. Try to jump with as little bend in the knees as possible so your feet have to push off the floor harder an push all the way through your point when you leave the floor.
**Standing at a barre, behind a chair, or at the kitchen counter, place your feet in first then raise one foot to coupe, demi plie, lift your foot to 3/4 point, and then straighten your knee and hold the releve. Do about 10 of these on each foot to start, working up to more. Then do the same exercise in reverse, releve then demi plie, then lower to a flat foot. You can also just do releve and lower on each foot over and over until you feet and ankles are stronger. (this one is also great with your pointe shoes on, once you've started en pointe)

These exercises should get you started and get your feet and ankles working towards pointe shoes. Do these exercises everyday!!! The stronger your feet are before you start point the more successful you'll be!!

Answer 2

Readiness for pointe work is different for everyone; it is dependent on physicality, foot and ankle strength and alignment, core strength and spine alignment. Due the demanding nature of pointe,all these issues need to be evaluated on an individual basis for each dancer, or serious injury could occur. Some dance students, no matter how hard they work, may ever be ready for pointe work due to their body type or musculature.

Your teacher is right not to rush into it; however the more ballet classes you take, including ones at lower technical levels than your current level, the quicker you should progress. Remember, you have to actively TAKE class, not just be in class. If you are not working in your classes, it doesn't matter how many hours you spend in the studio. You may want to ask your teacher for some constructive pointers on where you may need improvement, what you can work on and how you can work on it.

On an encouraging note, I didn't get my first pair of pointe shoes until I was 16 - so don't give up! Hard work will pay off in the end!

Answer 3

it all depends on how strong your feet and ankles are.... if youre teacher said you wont be en pointe until youre 18 you might want to do some extra strengthening exercises. You should get a ther-a-band. It's like a large rubber band almost, what you do with it is hold onto either side of the band in each hand, put the ball of youre in the middle of the band with your legs stretched out right in front of you. it's kind of hard to imagine but you will understand once you get one. so after youre set up all you want to do is point and stretch your foot about 10 times then take a break. do this about 3 or 4 times and switch feet.

another exercise is to stand on your stairs, facing the stairs so your heels hang over the back of the stair. keep your legs straight. now rise and lower 10 times and wait also continue this about 3 or 4 times. your feet and ankles should become very strong after this.

To get a ther-a-band try going to discountdance.com they have a whole package that gives you other exercises to work on. also pointe magazine has some great strengthening exercises pointemagazine.com

hope that helps... good luck!

Answer 4

To get en pointe depends on your teacher, your feet, and your ankles. If your feet and ankles aren't strong enough you could really hurt yourself and your dancing future and career. If out en pointe to early you could do a turn on a bent knee and fall and break your ankle. Ballet is a slow process of learning and the only thing that i can think of you doing is doing ankle and feet stretches. Try this, lay on your back in front of a wall with your feet on the balla nd your knees bent. Then in slow eight counts lift your feet from your toes to your arch until you get to your heel and dont pick your heel up. Then, do slow ankle rolls. Try working on rollling one toe in at a time. These will strengthen your ankles. Also, work very hard in your ballet classes. During tondues (however you spell that) and degajes really work through the floor and work on turn out and balance this will show your teacher you improvement. You will show more improvemnt if you dance everyday so stick in your ballet classes. I hope you get en pointe and excel in it!

Answer 5

it usually depends on what studio you go to or what company your in but i think in general it takes 2 years of taking at least two classes a week. do things to strengthen your ankles like doing grande plies in the center of the room. also, try standing with your feet parallel. releve one foot at a time. or... try standing in a wide second position and doing releves. all these exercises are ones that we do in class at the begining of the year when i started pointe. also try talking to your teacher. she probably has a lot more info for you and will show you how to do some more exercises. good luck =] oh, and take as many classes as possible. take all the classes of your level, and see if you can student teach in the classes that are below your level. thats what i do =]


oh and you should get a theraband! we use these in every class! you can get them at a sporting goods store or order one online. my friend and i made a video on how to do it. you can look at it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoSy5jLysOM

Answer 6

when your 12-14 you are ready for pointe you need to have a 2 year experience of ballet but when you go on pointe your ankles need to be strong and your feet need to be fully grown your feet are probably fully grown by now but the only thing you need to remember is to have fun !!and don't push your self but when you go on pointe you have to dance almost every day !! good luck !!!

Answer 7

depends on how you train. from 2 to 5 years from when you START

Answer 8

3 YEARS?!?!?!? in three years u might be going to college! did ur teacher ever consider that?

Answer 9

Well..theradbands help to strengthen toes. But any excercises like releves that you can do to help your ankles are good. :)