Point class!!! PLEASE HELP!!!?

Question:

Point class!!! PLEASE HELP!!!?

Recently i have been thinking of joining point class, since i have always wanted to learn to stand on my toes sooo much!
But there are a couple of questions that im puzzled about!
1. Do i have to have some experience before joining, like do i have to have been taking ballet classes before that in order to join???
2. What equipment do i need to join???
3. How long does it take to learn to stand on your toes?? Does it hurt??? Is it hard work?? Do i need to practice a lot??? Will i get blisters and stuff from the shoes???
4. If im not very experinced but try to stand on my toes with the point shoes, could i get seriously injured???? Should i even attempt standing on them????
5. How much do the point shoes cost??
Thanks soo much!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Great question. This is going to be a long answer, so bear with me!

1) While it is fabulous to hear you have interest in pointe, you cannot just join a class like you would join tap or jazz or anything else. You should have at the very least 2 or 3 years of regular, basic ballet training before pointe classes. This is for a number of reasons. You're not going to know how to do anything in pointe class because you have not learned your basic skills and terms in basic ballet. You are also not strong enough to go en pointe, and will suffer from major injuries. Also, it's not up to you to decide when you are ready for pointe. That is your teacher's choice. She will tell you.

2) First, you need to enroll in a beginners ballet class. You may be able to move up levels quicker than younger ones depending on your age, but you're going to have to be spending a lot of time in these classes since your goal is pointe. Then, you need to be in pre-pointe and learn to dance on demi-pointe (not required, but good). This must be okay with your teacher.

When you're in pointe class, you'll need an array of items: your clothing (leotard, tights, skirt if allowed, leg warmers if you want), your shoes (pointe shoes), things to take care and fix your shoes (extra ribbons, elastic, cleaners, pins), things to take care of your feet (lambs wool, ouch pouches, surgical tape, foot creams), hair supplies (bobby pins, hair net if allowed, clips, hairspray), etc.

3) You aren't really standing on your toes in pointe shoes. You are to some degree, but you should never be fully on top of your toe. More like, on the side or bend your toe. Yes, pointe work is hard, but the hurt should be minimal if you are wearing your shoes correctly, have proper training, and know how to hold yourself. All your weight should not be placed on your pointe shoes. They are not there to do the work. You will not only get blisters, but hard and soft corns, calluses, cracked skin, and possibly bruised toes and cracked nails (shouldn't happen if they are proper length). Of course, it takes a lot of practice. You should have at the very least 4 or 5 classes a week for a few hours.

4) YES, you will most likely get injured. Even pointe dancers who know what they are doing have arthritis and other pains in their foot. But not knowing what you are doing and not having the right strength can damage your feet permanently. Please, do NOT attempt you use pointe shoes.

5) Pointe shoes have a wide range of costs depending on the style and brand of the shoe. I've seen them range to $40 to about $100 and probably more. There are shoes that cost a heap of money, but you're not going to need those when you first start out. You'll go through pointe shoes quick after a while.

You're welcome and I hope I helped!