Pointe Please

I really want to start pointe but I don’t know when is a good time to start. I am 12 years old and have been doing ballet for 4 years. help please!!!!

April 13, 2007 | In Questions |

11 Comments »

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  1. your teacher will tell you when you are ready to go en pointe.

    Comment by marianne — April 16, 2007 #

  2. You don’t make the decision to start pointe, a qualified teacher will know what to look for, and will tell you when your ready. Untill then you can do releves and rises to help stregthen your ankles. But Don’t try to go en pointe too soon, you will hurt yourself, then never be able to dance en pointe. So wait for your teacher to tell you.

    Abbie

    Comment by Abbie — April 16, 2007 #

  3. Hi..
    I stop dancing ballet just when I start on pointe =(
    I started doing pointe when I was in grade 8. And I think people in my ballet school also start at about grade 8.

    Comment by Anastasia — April 19, 2007 #

  4. quote by Abbie:
    But Don’t try to go en pointe too soon.you will hurt yourself, then never be able to dance en pointe

    Really? I never know.. why is it that when u r not ready, u’ll get injured??
    I wounded my feet everytime I used pointe shoes without the sponge..

    Comment by Anastasia — April 19, 2007 #

  5. You’ll injure yourself if you’re not ready for pointe b/c your weight has to be shifted in specific areas in specific ways. The only way to do this properly is if you’ve developed the physical capability. Without the proper muscle development, you won’t just hurt yourself, but you’d be physically incapable of implementing the proper technique. You’ll hurt yourself b/c you won’t be properly supported physically. It’s like asking a child to carry what a physically fit grown adult has difficulty carrying, but there’s also more to it. It isn’t like breaking your bones that grow back stronger. When your joints and ligaments are damaged, there’s no going back from that. In fact, no one ever admits this, but you’ll injure yourself either way. It’s the type of injury that matters. Professionals have way more injuries than the rest of us, but they’re also physically prepared for it. Injury from repetition is different from injury due to lack of preparation.

    Comment by Jaymie — April 21, 2007 #

  6. hey! just start whenever you want to, 11 1/2 is the recommended age to start. You are twelve so, just start when you feel ready, and want to start.

    Comment by salsa — April 25, 2007 #

  7. no one should start point without the help of a qualified teacher. and just because someone has reached the recomended age to start point does NOT mean they are ready, they must also have developed the strength and technique necessary.

    Comment by Marissa — April 25, 2007 #

  8. most teachers say not to start till you are a least 12 because you can damage yourself if your bones arent fully developed but a lot of girls star at 13 and 14. you also need to have the strength to hold yourself and that includes core strength for balence and the correct technique. your teacher will tell you when your ready.

    Comment by kate — May 4, 2007 #

  9. Don’t worry, Im 12 too and have been dancing for 9 years and havent started yet…I think most people start at around 9 1/2 years though…

    Comment by dani — May 25, 2007 #

  10. where i dance they will not let you start pointe unitl age 13…but one of my friends knows this girl who’s like, a total prodigy, and she started in fourth grade. i’m in sevent grade and if i continue at the rate i’m at i will start point in 9th grade…

    Comment by grace — May 30, 2007 #

  11. Some studios have a pointe age requirement, and some are by strength. I went en pointe after three years, so it depends. Talk to your teacher. Good Luck!

    <3 Melissa

    Comment by Melissa — January 3, 2010 #

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