Pointe shoes?

Question:

Pointe shoes?

I am pretty sure that my teacher wants me to begin pointe classes this fall! Is there anything that I should be doing over the summer to help me prepare? I am goin 2 a one week workshop that she has but thats all the time in the dance studio this summer that I'm going to get!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Eleves and releves... as many as possible. In my pre-point classes I have them do this (they see me 3 times a week)

FACING THE BARRE:
8 eleves in 1st potition, 8 releves in 1st postion then hold in releve for 16 counts.
then pull the right foot up to coupe:
8 eleves in coupe, 8 releves in coupe, then hold in releve for 16 counts.
then continue this pattern (no stopping... that's cheating) in back attitude and then in arabesque. Then start back in 1st position and do the whole thing on the left side.

It is brutal I know, but it will make you SO strong! Make sure that any time you rise up on your toes that your weight is toward your big toes and that you are not letting your ankles go out to the side. This will actually create a weakness in the outer part of your ankle and make it so much easier for them to roll or snap. Good luck with your point work and with your excercises!

P.S. just in case... Eleve is to rise up (no plie), Releve is to pull up underneath (plie required)