En Pointe?

Question:I am 13 years old and have been dancing since I was 3 years old. I take 3 classes a week and all I want is pointe. I am dead serious. My friend who is in each of my classes went en pointe at 12 years old, and I don't know of anyone in my school who has been younger than 11 that has gone en pointe. I know dancing en pointe puts tremendous stress on your feet, but I am 13 and my feet haven't grown in 1 year. I think I am ready for pointe.

What do you think? When do you think I will be ready for pointe?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I am 13 years old and have been dancing since I was 3 years old. I take 3 classes a week and all I want is pointe. I am dead serious. My friend who is in each of my classes went en pointe at 12 years old, and I don't know of anyone in my school who has been younger than 11 that has gone en pointe. I know dancing en pointe puts tremendous stress on your feet, but I am 13 and my feet haven't grown in 1 year. I think I am ready for pointe.

What do you think? When do you think I will be ready for pointe?

Hi!
From what you say, I think you're ready. If you've been dancing for 10 years, you should have enough control over your movements and body to not injure yourself. And yes, you are old enough too.
But if all this is true, why hasn't your teacher put you en pointe yet? Have you talked to her? I would suggest doing so. If your friend in each of your classes is en pointe, is there a specific reason that you have not?
Your teacher may think you need more training (tho 10 years sounds great to me!), or she may want to develop your ankle control more (a big factor). But definately take it up with her.
Good luck, and I hope you love it!!! <3 <3 <3

yeah, from the sound of it, your ready. just be careful! LOL! HOPE THIS HELPS!

it depends on how strong and flexilbe u are. ask your teacher and see what she says. u dont want to go on too early. u could hurt yourself

Talk to your teacher. They're really the only ones who can decide.

We don't worry about age at my ballet school. My teachers base moving people up to pointe based on how ready and strong their feet and pelvis are. If you have been dancing since you are three, i would say yes, you are probably ready. But ultimately, your teacher will know best.

And pointe work really does hurt, but i suggest lamb's wool, not gels for toe pads when you do start. Gel can cause you to sit in your shoes, which is bad for your shoes and feet. Good Luck! :)

i am going on pointe this christmas and i am 13. i have also been dancing scince i was 3 but missed loads of lessons (9 months worth) due to the fact that dance so much i have worn away the cartilage in my knee!!i dances 5 times a week.
I felt I was ready for pointe and asked my teacher and she said that even though I am a brilliant dancer and have emmensly srong toes and feet i am not ready as my teacher thinks that i can't carry myself properly.
my advice to you would be to ask your teacher as you don't want to go to early as this can seriosly damage your feet!!

Be sure that you learn correct form for your "releves" and especially the "echappes". 35 percent of pointe work is preceded by echappes.

Pointe work usually start when you go into echapee and immediately into releve.

Make sure that you get enough nutrients and you stretch your foot and ankle muscles before you start on pointe. Best to wait 2-3 months. It is better to prepare for pointe work than to rush into it and risk major injury to your feet afterward.

Usually you have to be on a certain grade to go on point - I've been told it's grade 5. Plus your feet have to have grown completely otherwise you could do damage to them.

The only person who can tell you that you are ready for pointe is your teacher so just talk to her and if she doesnt think you are mabey she can help you figure out what you can do to get ready.

In the mean time I would work your ankle strength, balance and flexibility.