CriticalDance Forum

Hi again...back so soon you ask! hehe i just cant keep away! It turns out that after christmas when i take my exam i could move up into grade 6 which means begginging pointe work as i said before i havent been dancing long Do you think my ankles will be strong enough by then and are there any exercises i could do to help strengthen them?

Hello...If your teacher feels you are pointe-ready, you will begin very slowly. You probably will not have your pointe shoes on for very long at first. The best thing that you can do to prepare is really working your feet on every tendu, releve, and eleve. Be certain that when you work on 3/4 pointe, that you are straight up on your feet...no "sickling out" or "rolling in". Your ballet posture and stance are critical for pointe work, so pay very close attention to your teacher when he/she corrects your posture. You could also use a theraband. Sit on the floor with your legs stretched out before you. Holding the theraband with both hands, place it under the ball of one foot and flex and point your foot. Start off with just a few and rest. Repeat. Don't overdo anything new. You must build your strength slowly and steadily to avoid over-use and injury. Good luck and enjoy your dancing!