I'm thirteen, and have just started ballet...Does anyone have any tips for me to toughen and increase my point? ALso, does anyone have any leg stretches/excercises? I can barely get my grande battements above my waist.

Hi Magdalena and welcome to criticaldance. We're happy that you asked your question, but we tend to deal with these questions down in 'The Studio', where our Moderators will be delighted to answer you.<P>So I'm going to move this topic down there and close it here.

Hello Magdalena - welcome to the board - it's a pleasure to have you join us.<P>We have a thread that might want to read for increasing your stretch....<P><A HREF=../../../ubb/Forum7/HTML/000291.html><B>STRETCH AND STRENGTH</B></A><P>The thing that will toughen your feet for pointe, is just by working on pointe. There are no quick magic solutions. Take care of your feet, protect them, but using them will make them strong. Pointe work will also make them more flexible. I wouldn't recommend anything artificial. If you use your tendu correctly and relevé, like your teacher shows you, your feet with become more flexible.<P>I have found that probably the best way to make your feet both strong and flexible is to really work your tendu correctly. We have a thread on that - you might want to read:<P><A HREF=../../../ubb/Forum7/HTML/000334.html><B>TENDU</B></A><P>I noticed that you said you just started ballet....so you will have to patient before you see any results with getting your leg up. For some people, it's a bit easier than others. If you work hard and carefully, listen to your teacher - you will see improvement.<P><BR> <P><BR><p>[This message has been edited by Basheva (edited May 27, 2001).]