The pointe technique is a very important fundamental of classical dance: the dancer shifts all her weight on her toes thus appearing composed, graceful and almost weightless. It is also one of the typical images that ballet is associated with. The pointe shoes allow a uniform distribution of the ballerina's weight over the entire foot. To learn more about the learning process of this technique, you can learn what to expect and how to guarantee yourself the best chance of success.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Getting Started
Step 1. Find a good teacher
Before buying pointe shoes, make sure you have a good dance teacher. Go to a class to personally check the level of teaching if you are not already taking courses. Talk to people who are informed and aware of what they are doing to make sure you are undergoing safe and correct training.
It would be better to continue teaching the pointe technique with the teacher who has been following you for years. He will be able to assess if you are ready to "go on toes"
Step 2. Complete a ballet class of at least three years at a reputable school
The most important thing about pointe training is knowing when to start doing it. It is a difficult technique that takes years and years of practice before you can master it.
- It is essential that the dancer is very strong, well trained and that she has correctly learned the fundamentals of ballet. You need to be mentally and physically prepared for this kind of exercise.
- Never try to practice pointe without the authorization of a professional teacher. Pointe dancing can be painful for a beginner or someone who is not properly educated.
Step 3. Strengthen your ankles
Continue to practice ballet as usual, and focus on your ankles to improve their strength and balance. These fundamental joints need to be strong to be able to dance on pointe, and your instructor will most likely advise you against switching to this technique if your physique is not ready yet.
Practice on your own with heel lifts to strengthen your ankles. Shift your body weight onto the forefoot and lift your heels up by stretching your ankles. Maintain balance and repeat the exercise 10-15 times. Perform 3 series with a one-minute break between one and the other
Step 4. Expect to experience some pain and numbness
It is not at all comfortable to dance on pointe, especially at the beginning. The feeling of the feet in the pointe shoes may confuse you a bit and the posture can be decidedly uncomfortable; however, over time, things will improve. It is important to approach this phase of learning with the right expectations to avoid getting discouraged. If you've been taking dance lessons for a few years, you should be excited! You are practically taking a leap forward into "advanced" classical dance.
If you are a little agitated, get some pointe shoes for beginners. They offer better support to the feet if the feet are still not strong enough to stand on toes
Part 2 of 4: Purchase and Prepare Pointe Shoes
Step 1. Buy the right type of footwear
When you've found a good pointe dance class, go to a specialty store and buy pointe shoes. Talk to the clerk and ask for assistance.
- Make sure the shoes fit perfectly. They must give the foot a tapered and lean appearance. If you have delicate arches, make sure your shoes have soft insoles. Some models suitable for people with delicate arches are Capezio, Mirella and Bloch Sonata. If you have a strong bow, you should try the Grishko and Russian Pointe.
- Don't buy shoes online. It is not easy to find the model that fits perfectly and it is usually necessary to spend at least half an hour with the salesman to find the right one for you. Do not take shoes that are larger than yours, expecting your foot to grow. The model must be perfect and it should be a bit difficult to put on.
Step 2. Listen to the advice of your dance teacher
When you have found a good pair of shoes, take them to your teacher to have them checked. Do what he recommends. If you think another model is suitable for you, change it. The teacher's opinion is the most important information you can rely on to ensure maximum safety and comfort. If possible, ask them to accompany you to the store to purchase your first pair of pointe shoes.
Step 3. Prepare the shoes
Soften them the right way. A good technique is to bend the arch of the foot with the hands. Try making it at home first as soon as you buy them, before wearing them to class. Usually the dance teacher will show you how to do it, but if this doesn't happen, you can search for videos on YouTube.
- When softening the shoes, it is essential not to overdo it until you have gained some experience. Do not fold them completely otherwise you risk ruining them.
- Do not use gel protectors if you are a beginner. You need to feel the ground under your feet. Use thin pads of foam rubber, wool or fabric.
Part 3 of 4: Dancing on the Toes
Step 1. Go to the first lesson
Now that the shoes have been softened, you can take the first lesson. In the beginner courses, most of the exercises take place at the bar, to warm up. You will probably not move to the center of the room until the master tells you that you are ready to do so. Dancing on pointe is really tiring and it's not easy to do it in the early days.
Do not wear pointe shoes without the supervision of the master, wait for his authorization. Be patient, for most dancers lessons for beginners are anything but fun, but they are essential to build the necessary strength
Step 2. Concentrate on body alignment
You need to focus on lifting on the shoes. Remember that the more time and effort you dedicate to the barre exercises, the stronger you will be to be able to perform those in the center of the room.
- Strengthen the abdominal muscles. Dancing on pointe makes it difficult to maintain balance, so strong abs are essential. If you lose control of your torso, there are many chances of getting injured and the exercise will be much more difficult than necessary.
- Put your feet in the shoes. This way you get a good balance for both bar and unsupported exercises. When you are on your toes, it does not mean that you are exactly on the "nails" of your fingers. Think about lifting yourself upwards and towards the outside of the shoe.
Step 3. Involve the whole body
A safe way to fall is to relax the muscles. Try to keep your feet pointed, work on the Achilles tendons and contract your calves. To keep your legs straight, work your quadriceps. To stretch and extend them, put your hamstrings into action. To rotate outwards, involve the hip flexor muscles and buttocks. The abs provide you with good balance while the lats give you good posture.
Step 4. Manage the pain and talk to your teacher
When you first take a pointe dance class, you probably won't last more than ten minutes without pain. If you feel numbness in your feet, let the teacher know immediately so that you can take off your shoes. You can also ask to take a break every minute or so to ensure good blood circulation in the feet and regain sensitivity.
Don't lean on your little finger. If you do, this finger tends to sag and get bagged. It is a harmful action for the feet, ankles and knees, and makes it more difficult to dance, not to mention the risk of injury. Try to keep the weight in the center of the foot or at most slightly shifted towards the big toe
Step 5. Take care of your feet
At the end of the lesson, they will likely be sore or numb. The pain will subside within a couple of weeks. Take foot baths with water and Epsom salts to relax them. Remember to stretch every day, as pointe dancing is very stressful for the feet.
- At the end of the lesson, sprinkle your feet with talcum powder to absorb sweat and do the same with the pads. Remember to keep your nails short so they won't press on your fingers.
- Leave the shoes in the air to prevent them from soaking in sweat and breaking quickly. Remember that they only last up to 20 hours of use before they need to be replaced. When you feel comfortable, it's time to replace them.
Part 4 of 4: Increase the Strength
Step 1. Train your legs and feet
There are many ways to exercise your feet so that you have more strength for the next lesson. You can perform relevé, jumps and even point your feet.
- It is practically impossible to force a good opening at the tips, so you need to develop it in advance. A good preparatory exercise is the breaststroke stretch.
- Strength in your ankles is the most important feature if you don't want to get hurt. Perform relevé on the bar before class.
- Bend your knees slightly as you perform pointe exercises.
Step 2. Practice at home with soft slippers
Concentrate on foot and leg work, aiming for the first ones to the max. Engage all the muscles. It will be easier to put your feet in the shoes if you have the extra strength that you have developed on your own.
Step 3. Continue exercising regularly
Don't stop taking regular dance classes just because you know how to stand on pointe. This technique alone will not improve your ballet skills. Constant lessons will help you get stronger, as a result you will be able to dance better on pointe!
Step 4. Be consistent and patient
Listen to your teacher above all and you will become an exceptional dancer!
Advice
- It is important to always straighten the torso and legs. Just like when performing a pirouette, you must remain erect to ensure maximum balance and strength.
- If you are a beginner, you should always have the sensation of falling forward when you shift your weight on the big toe.
- Maintain a graceful and composed posture. There is nothing worse than seeing a dancer bent forward who gives the impression of not wanting to be where she is. Keep your chest open without arching your back (unless required by the choreography) and keep your chin aligned or slightly upwards.
Warnings
- Making shoes too soft is not good. They should be flexible enough to hold a bow in the demi-pointe position. If they are softer than that, you will not have good support and risk wearing out the shoes too quickly. Professional dancers may be able to dance on pointe in too soft shoes thanks to their strong feet, but it takes years - if not decades - to develop this kind of strength!
- When practicing pointe as a beginner, always do so under the supervision of a teacher, unless they have confirmed that you can do it on your own.
