Ever been curious about the beautiful dance style pointe?
Well, this website is to help anyone learn what pointe dance is and perhaps start dancing pointe!
Dancing pointe requires many years of training, commitment, and perseverance. Dancers cannot just decide to start dancing pointe. Rather they must train and strengthen their bodies until the pointe when their dance instructor believes they are ready for the next step.
Look through the steps I outline below to learn how you can start dancing pointe!
(For more information see the How to Get Started page!)
Look through the steps I outline below to learn how you can start dancing pointe!
(For more information see the How to Get Started page!)
PREPARATION
STARTING
Work hard and good luck dancers!
- Get a foundation - A dancer cannot perform or have stability on pointe shoes unless they have worked hard to develop a strong base and learned and perfected the basic techniques of ballet dance and learning how to align their bodies properly. This foundational knowledge could take anywhere from 2-5 years depending on when the dancer starts learning ballet and how often they attend class.
- Develop your strength - To be able to dance en pointe you must be able to hold yourself up on strong ankles, feet, legs, and core strength. Without developing the strength in these areas dancers are at high risk of rolling their feet, breaking their ankles, or falling down from fatigue.
- Be of age - Dancing en pointe before about 12 years old is ill-advised because the long bones in a child's feet only begin to harden between 8-12 years old. If a dancer goes en pointe before their feet have hardened this can create growth-plate fractures and lead to deformed feet. Often dance instructors have dancers get x-rays and have their physician check to see if the dancer's feet have sufficiently hardened.
- Have emotional maturity - Pointe dancing is incredibly difficult. It is unlike any other type of dance and requires a great deal of patience and perseverance. Your feet will ache and hurt and it is difficult to master the techniques. Dancers should be warned that only those that are truly committed to pointe will be able to succeed in learning it. You must also be responsible in taking care of your pointe shoes and body. Neither can work without the other.
STARTING
- Take a year of pre-pointe classes - To start learning how to dance en pointe all dancers must take a year of pre-pointe classes. These classes are especially focused on teaching the techniques that the dancer will use on pointe and ensuring they are perfected. The class is also used to strengthen dancers in their entire bodies so they are physically ready for pointe.
- Buying supplies - Once your dance instructor and physician have cleared you for pointe work you must buy all the supplies. The best way to buy your first pair of pointe shoes is to go to a professional pointe shoe fitting where they will explain how you choose a specific shoe, what types of padding are available to you and their benefits, and determining which style works best for you. Make sure to buy shoes that feel comfortable but not too tight or loose on your feet. Using various padding and spacers is advised because otherwise there are many health risks. The traditional padding that is used is just gel pads or wool pads or cloth pads; choosing which one you want is entirely up to your preference.
- Sewing on the ribbons - The next step is learning how to sew on your ribbons. The professionals at the pointe shoe store should be able to advise you on the best locations/angles for your ribbons that will best support your particular feet. You will want to either use special pointe shoe string to sew your shoes or strong dental floss. Regular string is too weak and will ultimately rip once you start dancing. Many dance stores sell pointe shoe sewing kits that you can buy.
- Learning how to tie - Bring your shoes to your dance class and have your dance instructor demonstrate the best ways to wrap and tie your ribbons. You may need to play with different styles of tying until you are comfortable.
- Start dancing! - The final step is to get in your pointe shoes and start dancing! With the instruction of your dance instructor you will gradually learn how to do everything you could in ballet shoes in pointe shoes.
Work hard and good luck dancers!