Pointe Work??

Question:I have been dancing for 11 years and I've started pre-pointe work last july/august. My instructor says I have good feet for pointe work but I want my ankles and turnout to be better so I can get my first Pointe shoes quicker. Any good exercises to strengthen ankles and help turnout for pointe work?? I have a theraband, so any exercises involving that would be fine. Thanks so much!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I have been dancing for 11 years and I've started pre-pointe work last july/august. My instructor says I have good feet for pointe work but I want my ankles and turnout to be better so I can get my first Pointe shoes quicker. Any good exercises to strengthen ankles and help turnout for pointe work?? I have a theraband, so any exercises involving that would be fine. Thanks so much!

ankle: sit on the floor with your back straight and your feet out in front of you and then put the band on the ball of your foot with your foot flexed. then roll through to half toe and then full pointe. but keep the band really really tight that way it'll be more effective. do this while watching tv. but be sure to keep the number even on each foot so you aren't stronger in one foot than the other.

turn out: put your foot up on the barre or couch/counter anything with a high ledge. so that your legs make a 90* angle. then flex your foot and plie forcing your heel forward and your toes towards the floor. that way you can get the feeling for how much turn out you can get.

do this on both feet

and then sit on the ground and put one leg bent in front of you with your knees and feet on the ground. place the other foot on top so there is a hollow "box" inside your legs and your legs are the outline. then take a deep breathe and relax everything, dont hold your muscles, then go forward and put your head down and your elbows on the floor and stay there. be sure to breathe. and when you exhale you should feel your turn out start to deepen.

good luck with pointe! :)

do a bunch of releves-

After 11 years of dancing (assuming mostly ballet), you should already be on pointe. Try a class at another ballet school and get a second opinion.