En Pointe - Preparing For Pointe

Preparing For Pointe

Because serious foot deformities can result from starting pointe too early, pre-professional students do not usually begin dancing en pointe until after the age of 11 and it should be discouraged for others. In the major dance academies, which have physicians available to ensure that the dancers' feet have ossified sufficiently, students may be allowed to start pointe work earlier. It is dangerous to start en pointe at such a young age without orthopaedic approval because the bones in the feet are still soft and growing, so they can be permanently damaged.

If a ballet dancer starts later in life (as most dancers start around the age of three), many teachers require at least 2-3 years of dance and the minimum of two ballet classes a week before advancing onto Pointe.

Otherwise, students are ready for pointe when they can hold their turnout from the hips while performing center combinations, hold a proper ballet position (straight back, good turnout, etc.), pull up correctly in the legs, and balance securely in releve because dancing en pointe requires one to use the entire body, including the legs, back, and abdominal muscles.

Pedicures are not advised for pointe dancers as dead skin and calluses on the feet are helpful and act as insulation against the strain of the shoe. Blisters, boils, athlete's foot, cuts of the feet, and even bleeding are to be expected. Toenails are generally cut at least one day before dance class or performance to let the toes adjust to the new length of the nails.

Preparation for pointe work is a gradual process, starting with strengthening exercises at the barre. This varies according to the teacher's preferences, method, and syllabus. The first exercises at the barre are usually relevés and échappés. Once the student is fully comfortable in executing the steps on both feet (and the tendons are strong enough), steps ending on one foot are introduced, such as pas de bourrée en pointes and retiré en pointes.

After barre work, the student progresses to centre exercises, usually led by an instructor stressing proper turnout, pointing of the toes when raised, and proper use of ballet technique while en pointe. In centre practice, Mme Vaganova suggests as first exercises on both feet relevés and échappés en pointe.