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Question: How can i improve my ballet skills!?
Im starting ballet in september for the first time, i've never done dance before so im pretty nervous! Im 12 and i really want to get good enough to start point in a couple of years when i improve!. I want to get into shape for it first!. Right now im in the phase where i don't really wan to do anything but eat chips and watch tv all day!. I really want to get out of that and start eating healthier and exercising more! Advice please! And could you give some pointers on some ballet stretches, moves, etc!.

When can i start point!?
I have soooooo many questions and so little answers!!Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Theres nothing to be nervous about!!!.!.
theres plenty of time for you to get ready for ballet, get into shape and of course onto pointe!.!.

1!. Flexibility is a key source if ballet!.!. you need good flexibility to perform different dance techniques!.!.
while watching tv try stretching!.!.
you can stretch anytime anyday!.!.
you need to have different type of stretches soo!.!. you can search online for great helpful stretches!.!.!.
as soon as you have good flexibility!.!. you'll basically have mastered 1/4 of ballet!.!.

2!. Next comes getting into shape!.!.
try changing or swapping your foods!.!.
instead of a soft drink = drink milk or water!.!.
instead of chips = eat fruit!.!.
eat more vegies and fruit!.!. and dont forget to drink alot of water!.!.!.
you can also try throwing all the junk food away!.!. once in a while is ok!.!. but not everyday!.!.

3!. Excercising also helps you keep in shape and bring up your fitness levels!.!.
you need to stretch aswell as go for jogs or turn on some music and dance for 1/2 and hour!.!.
30 mins of excercise is good!.!.!. you can watch some ballet routines on youtube!.!. you can copy some moves and practise them!!

4!. next comes pointe!.!.
dancers take about 3-8 years too go onto pointe!.!. some go on quicker!.!. it all depends on how strong your legs and ankles are!! It also depends on technique!.!. it is really hard to get something right on pointe!.!. thats why you'll need to have all your positions and moves on ballet flats mastered!.!.
You must NOT go onto pointe without supervision!.!.
your teacher will tell you when your ready!.!.
but meanwhile you can try pilate classes, aerobics or strengthening classes!.!.

5!. Last but not least, try taking up some strengthening classes!.!. these are really good for beginner students!.!. they'll help you improve your leg and ankle muscles!.!. making you more stronger so you can get onto pointe quicker!.!.

Hope this helped
= ]Www@QuestionHome@Com

well tell your mom to buy less junk food when she goes to buy groceries and whenever you think of picking up some kind of junk food, don't!. Think of healthier choices such as yogurt, salad, etc!. also, eat less than your normal amount for lunch and dinner!. Don't stuff yourself until your really full - meals aren't for people to be really full, but rather, just not hungry!.
for ballet, concentrate on turning out and try to stretch at home as well so you can be more flexible!. Don't forget to pull up! =]Www@QuestionHome@Com

ok while ur watching tv STRETCH !.!.itll help heaps also while watching tv u can lift on foot of the ground and hold it a couple inches of the ground and that way you will get stronger muscles with helps alot!. instead of eating junk food eat fruit!! or chew gum! lol it stops me from eating junk food!.

i stated bbballet at 13 and started pointe after 5 months!. it all depends on your ankle strength and your arch so strenghten you ankles and it will get u to pointe quicker!. your bbones and cartilage in your feet are fully frown by now so maybe about a few years at the LATEST to get to pointe!.

try hard and youll get there!Www@QuestionHome@Com

me too, but i am turning 14, i have danced for a long time but am not the best at ballet but love the look of pointe shoes! i want them so bad! next year i want to take 3 ballet classes and be on 2 tu 3 dance teams
take 3 ballet classes a week or more for better resultsWww@QuestionHome@Com

pointe shoes is very serious business!. you need to build your strength in your feet first!. and two years is WAY too soon to hope for pointe shoes!. you also need to become familiar with the steps and develop your muscles, so that ballet becomes a second nature!.
don't be in a hurry to get pointe shoes!. go at your own pace!. and before you get them ask your teacher if he/she believes that you are ready for them!.don't go rushing into it because you might end up injuring yourself and then be unable to dance the rest of your life!.

for answers on pointe shoes and other things i recommend these books:

-the pointe book, by janice barringer and sarah schlesinger
-inside ballet technique, by valerie greg
-(usborne) world of ballet, by judy tatchell



and when you do get pointe shoes get fitted, and continue to get fitted each time you need a new pair until you can find a shoe that works well for you!. if it doesn't feel right on your foot or it hurts you when your dancing try a different shoe!. also consult and older dancer who has danced on pointe for at least 5-6 years, or if you can a professional dancer; who can help you with alignment, placement,etc!.


hope this helps!!!!Www@QuestionHome@Com