Is this normal for a beginning ballet dancer?

Question:Sometimes when I point my feet, one of my feet would hurt in a certain spot. I think it is called the plantar fascia. It is really painful!
It also feels hard at that spot. What is this? How can I avoid it next time?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Sometimes when I point my feet, one of my feet would hurt in a certain spot. I think it is called the plantar fascia. It is really painful!
It also feels hard at that spot. What is this? How can I avoid it next time?

I'm not sure if it's normal, but I do know that the term is "plantar fasciitis." Here are some stretches/exercises I found to treat and prevent it:

http://www.thestretchinghandbook.com/arc...

http://orthopedics.about.com/gi/dynamic/...

Good luck!

Well since you're a beginner, maybe you pointing your feet too hard and maybe a bit wrong. you should probably ask you teacher.

im not completely sure, but my guess is that since the muscles that you use to point your feet are not used to being used so much, they are cramping. you are basically getting charly horses in your feet (the hard spot may be the muscle knot). when it happens, try gently massaging your foot. what might help to prevent this is strengthening your arches (try just pointing and flexing slowly with a theraband) and making sure your feet are very warmed up before you dance.

Maybe since you are a beginner you are pointing your feet to hard and you haven't built up your feet muscles to pointe that hard yet. And they are cramping up. Ask your teacher she might have an exercise that will build up your muscles to where they won't hurt you anymore.