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Question: When can i en pointe!?
I am new to the ballet scene -- only started at 17 =]]
I started ballet because I wanted a big challenge and going en pointe would be my ultimate challenge!.
I played competitive tennis and netball for several years before I started ballet, so that explains my athletic figure!.
would that affect me negative!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
First off, grats on starting ballet, you will love it!
Second, you cannot, and deffinately should not dance en pointe or go en pointe unless your teacher has asked or told you you can!. You must have 3-5 years at least of solid ballet training, amazingly strong ankles, and have amazing demi footwork!.

Tell you teacher you goal is to go en pointe as soon as you are ready and she will watch you more carefully!. Email me if you want some ankle strengthening exercises!.

The competitive tennis and netbal probably won't help you because tghey build more bulky muscles were as ballet builds completely different muscles!.

Hope this helps, have a nice day!!

=)Www@QuestionHome@Com

Okay I'm going to be totally honest even if this isn't what you want to hear!.
Ballet is hard!. It's very hard!. So you're correct in choosing it for a challenge!. It requires strength, flexibility and endurance!. But while it is a sport ( yes it is, even if there are nonbelievers out there!) you also have to remember that it's an art form and that like any art form it's best when done with love!. So any performance, even if you worked your butt off to ensure that every little step was perfect, is going to look flimsy compared to someone who, even if there are minor imperfections to the piece, performs it with love for the dance in their heart!. So keep that in mind!.
My ballet teacher always tell us that while a pianists way of expressing themself is the piano, a dancers way is through the body and in that aspect our body is our instrument and therefore must be kept in proper working order to ensure maximum capability!.
And that means that having a fit body will help you!. It will enable you to have strength already without having to start from scratch and build muscle from nothing!. The only thing about that is that you might have to gain muscle in other places and gain flexibility!. Your muscles might have to rearrange a bit so that they're in the poper place for ballet!. (Much of which is in your legs and your core!.)
Your ballet teacher will not put you on pointe until he or she feels that you are, without a doubt, ready and strong enough for it!. Usually it takes years until a dancer is ready so I suggest patience!.
Until that time practice your technique, strengthen your feet and ankles through exercizes( your teacher would probably be more than willing to suggest a few good, effective ones) and learn to love it!.
Good luck and remember to have some fun with it as well!
Hope this helped,
KayWww@QuestionHome@Com

your figure is in no way relative to whether you dance en pointe!. there was a girl in our school that was rather on the healthy side, but she was very strong and was able to!. it's all dependent on whether your instructor thinks you are ready!. I would have started at 11, but I broke an ankle when I was riding and it never healed properly!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

First of all!.!.!.!.DANCE IS NOT A SPORT! It is an art form!. And yes, ballet is hard and pointe is even harder! Being strong is not the only thing required to go en pointe!. You have to have excellent technique, turnout, etc!. It takes years to perfect!. I totally support your decision for trying ballet, and I'm glad we have another ballet dancer in the world!. But having no dance experience and starting at 17, your will probably be en pointe when your 20!. Keep trying, and never give up! Www@QuestionHome@Com

no if a teacher thinks your strong enough and ready to go into point then you should do it and make sure you do exercises every night to strengthening your ankles and core! good luck and im athletic to doing sports and i try not to let it affect me i'm actually stronger in some parts Www@QuestionHome@Com

It will probably be a few years before you get to go en pointe!.!.!.
yes you may be strong, but you need to have proper technique before you go en pointe!.!.!.

Pointe without technique on flats is a mess!.Www@QuestionHome@Com