Article:
How does a teacher decide when a dancer can go onto pointe?
I have mentioned a few times in my articles about ballet shoes
and pointe shoes, that it is a good strategy to start doing
strengthening exercises for the feet before starting pointe
classes.
One or two classes a week will not prepare the feet, or whole
body for pointe work. Three classes a week for at least a year
will enhance the preparation, but even then, to achieve the
optimum strength for pointe work, there are exercises a student
can do every day.
The dancers I talk to seem very motivated to get into a pointe
class, so I am assuming that adding an exercise regimen to their
already busy day would not be a problem.
Lisa Howell, a dance medicine specialist, has written a
wonderful training series for young students who aspire to do
pointe work.
She explains many fine points of anatomy, especially of the foot
structure and muscles. She covers turnout, hip placement, and
more.
Students wonder "do I have the right arches for pointe?" ...."do
I have the right toes, the right ankles, enough
turnout?"...."why does my teacher say I'm not ready?"
I've always advocated holding a student back, if there is the
slightest reservation in my mind about putting her on pointe.
Weak technique in any area can be improved, so why risk an
injury or deviated growth pattern in a child?
Concentration and awareness is extremely important in ballet
class. It is recreational for many children, but there comes a
time when dedication is required to ensure safety.
This dedication has to show up before pointe work begins.
Developing good technique in ballet, means pushing your physique
to the max without sacrificing safety. Preserving the integrity
of the joints and muscles may mean a restraint of advancement.
Fellow students who are a little older, more physically
developed and stronger, may go into pointe class sooner than
others who are not.
I've had students who are "born pros". When I've had to hold
them back in some way, I explain exactly why and they really get
it. They are willing to build strength for good dance technique,
knowing that they will catch up once the strength has been
established.
This attitude reflects a positive outlook and a visionary one.
Children are more than capable of this. Whether or not they have
a great talent, some have an instinct for the more productive
approach to their progress. They are ready to suffer (and they
do!) a short term disappointment.
It's truly difficult for a teacher to work out a long range plan
for every individual student, to get them to build strength for
future pointe work.
If a student can find a prepared series of assessments and
exercises, and can assess her own progress, the ones who want to
advance in this way, will.
The good news is, you can go
get what you need to strategize your own plan for building
strength to do pointe classes!
About the author:
Dianne M. Buxton is a graduate of the National Ballet School of
Canada. She taught at, and choreographed for The National Ballet
School, York University, and George Brown College, in Canada,
and taught at Harvard University in the U.S.
here for more about planning for pointe work.
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