How long ballet before pointe

I'd rather spend my ballet class time working on something dancier, like perfecting my adage or my pirouettes or my jumps. I know this sounds like the blase reaction of the "been there, done that, got the bunions" ballet student, and that pointe has an almost mystical attraction for someone who's never done it. But there is a bit of a "be careful what you wish for" phenomenon with pointe, I would say.

I know of several teenage girls who started pointe work but then stopped it but carried on with their normal grade classes. It's very exciting to get your first pointe shoes but the novelty soon wears off! Yes I can understand that attraction to get on pointe once you've started ballet And I suppose I too have already earlier in my life in my 20's and 30's dancing as an amateur done a fair bit of pointe work.

I must say in the end I got fed up with it The problem is when starting as an adult I had also first learnt this between as well And if you are trying to learn a really nice enchainement AND worrying about staying on pointe etc it's really hard to concentrate on dance quality at the same time.

But for an amateur starting as an adult I would say the best thing once you are ready Sorry about this sentence structure! I said in the earlier post that I'd rather see someone who is dancing with real style and conviction and I might add musicality It has just occurred to me of a confusion that may arise with beginners ballet and pointework etc. If one sees a "beginners pointework" class advertised then one could assume this is aimed at "beginners ballet".

The difference is that the pointework class will be aimed at people who have been doing ballet for quite a while Just a thought as adults new to ballet and the ballet world may not realise this and then wonder why a teacher is reluctant to teach them pointework as a "beginner" if they think the two go together right at the beginning. Must be a downward phase of the moon. I agree with the points above. The vast majority of adults don't show the commitment required and either take classes sporadically or take multiple classes but burn out quickly.

If you can show the same amount of dedication that you are now over 2 or 3 years I'm sure your teachers will be much more willing to consider pointe.

In the meantime you definitely don't need pointe to enjoy your classes! I started ballet as an adult and I have managed to go on pointe. I did 2 years of ballet, at least 6 hours a week, before I started wearing pointe shoes in beginner pointe lessons. I then remained at the barre for about a year before I was allowed by my teacher to go into the centre. After a year in the centre, I learnt enough to dance variations on pointe with the guidance and instruction of my teacher although there is a lot lacking with my artistry!!

As everyone here has wisely said, it is a lot of commitment and work. I did at least 6 hours of ballet a week and am now up to 8 hours with weekly privates. I dutifully did my releves and foot strengthening exercises every day. Every moment on pointe is a struggle—you have to remember to pull up and out of your shoes, keep your core engaged, turn out, have a strong straight spine etc.

Along the way I lost toenails and spent an inordinate amount of money in my quest for the right shoe. I think my experience proves what others have posted earlier: you need the correct anatomy, a teacher who is willing to teach you, and the patience to go veeeeerrrryyyyy slowly. It is something to aspire to, yes, but it is also something to work for. Just to put my two pennies worth in.

Even men. But you only have to see photographs on the internet of girls on their toes who have clearly had next to no ballet training. It looks just ghastly and so so wrong. It IS for many women and girls to try,but if and when they have had a good few years training in the basics first. Otherwise it would be rather like someone doing a very fast trill on a piano with very little knowledge of the scales and music theory behind them first.

Thank you everyone so much! And it's really important that we be aware of the stigmas - but just as important that we fight them tooth and nail. Bearing in mind that health, safety, strength, good technique and training are all of paramount importance to me - I think all too often a factor that sways the decision IS primarily ageism - as you pointed out. So look for a great teacher and take advantage of the knowledge and training you have at your disposal.

But to a certain extent you will have to map your own course. No one will come by unless like I said your lucky, some folks are and wave that magic wand that we want - the whisper in the ear at the barre "You are ready". So - Use the guidelines that we hear - two years, 3 classes a week as a serious goal and plan of action for yourself in the present, work really hard and let the future take care of itself.

Consider scheduling private sessions with a teacher you like once you get into it some more I am! But don't always take their word that you aren't "good enough" or "ready" ro "suited to it". Never stop because someone else thinks maybe you should. I won't either. That's a great list atti2de! I'm printing it out now so I can add it to my little book of guidleines! Thank you so much Sorry, dancers, but that list starts with two HUGE problems. That is absurd. Ten and a half is too young for pointe, and two years is not sufficient to train someone to be ready for pointe work, assuming we are dealing with ballet schools outside of an Academy where students have daily classes, like in Russia, and of course they have perfect ballet bodies to start with.

I do not think the list meant that most or even necessarily any 10,5 year olds who trained the mentioned amount have the other things.

I took the first points to mean that no matter how good you are otherwise, if those points do not also hold, no way. The list, I think, has separate and minimum requirements, not a description of a typical student starting pointe work.

It does not imply that if you have the three first points on the list, you are likely to have the rest too? As I do not know anything really about ballet and certainly fullfill the age requirement on the list ; I would also like to ask how Ms. Leigh or other instructors find the technical requirements on the list. Are they all necessary, and are they sufficient, or would you add something?

Jaana, you are not being obnoxious at all! Just questioning, which is quite fine. The problem with accepting the first two points on the list is that they imply that it's okay for a ten and a half year old to go on pointe if she meets the other requirements, and that two years of training is sufficient as well. While I might accept the two years IF it were in the type of school where the student has DAILY classes with highly professional teachers such as the Kirov or Bolshoi schools , in other places a student might have one class a week for two years and think they should be qualified for pointe!

And I don't believe that a ten year old should be on pointe under any circumstances. As to the rest of the list, while not incorrect, I am not impressed with the way it is written and find it very limited. The section about hair and neatness has nothing to do with the subject of being ready for pointe and belongs with a list of what is expected for all ballet students.

Leigh, I apologize if you feel that the list is in error. I did happen upon the web site where I had originally found the information. It is from the Pacific Ballet Academy and the posting date is It did say Isn't it possible that this school has produced some exceptional dancers who danced since they were 8.

I understand your concern, because it is probably the exception, rather than the rule. However, I must say that I have concerns about how people are judged; it appears that many instructors tend to generalize the abilities of dancers.

For example, in sports, some believe that players should not be eligible for the NBA until they have had some college training, but yet there are a few phenomenal basketball players who never stepped foot in college. Couldn't we make the same assumptions about other sports or arts, including ballet?

Aren't there some really exceptional dancers whose bodies, form, alignment, and strength allow them to be able do some things i. I, like babygurlesq, feel that I don't want to begin pointe work until I've had adequate training, because when I do go on pointe, I want to do it right, and I want to prevent injuries; I don't fear injuries because I'm an "adult" ballet student.

But, because I am a ballet student who wants to develop my skills and abilities, I want to avoid as much injury as possible. I'm not interested in rushing into this, because truly, I want to learn proper technique.

I don't want to miss out on adequate training. I have been told that I'm a perfectionist, so I'm probably harder on myself than the instructors smile. I realize that there are a lot of fun and hard lessons to be learned, however, my goal is to go on pointe. But I wouldn't want to do it by robbing myself of the journey.

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Connect with:. Pointe Resources If you are looking to delve deeper into this topic, check out the following programs: The Perfect Pointe Book: This course was originally designed to help students and dance teachers safely prepare for pointe work.

The four stages of tests and exercises within the book are ideal for pre-pointe preparation classes, students close to achieving pointe shoes and students already en pointe looking for extra strength and technique training. Pointe Range: This online program comprises of 41 clear and concise videos, totalling just under 2 hours play time, this course begins with a series of assessments to establish exactly what structures are restricting your pointe range.

It then explores a diverse array of massage techniques, joint mobility exercises and fascial mobilisers to safely improve your pointe range. This is followed by an in depth look at retraining all of the muscles that stabilise the foot and ankle to allow you to actually use your new found pointe range in class. Hi Lisa, If a student does not have good flexibility…. All rights reserved. Order delivery times for in stock items are currently weeks longer than usual.

Backordered items will take additional time. Thank you for your patience! Phone Email address. Email Address. Ballet Info. When To start Pointe. In general, these are the criteria for readiness for pointe shoes: Commitment Most dancers need at least two to four years of training in ballet technique, with a good attendance record, before going on pointe. Maturity Your demeanor shows that you have the maturity for pointework.