Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 5/27/2008

Question
I have been training for 11 years in ballet and have been in an advanced ballet class for two years. I have just been moved up to the advanced pointe class but am not wearing pointe shoes yet. Do you have any advice to dancing in a class like this and when do you think that I will be put on pointe shoes? I am 13 going on 14 and I think that I am ready. I have Strong feet, ankles, legs, jumps, turnout and barre work. I have my panache in center, and have my double on my left and triple on my right. Do you think that I am ready for pointe work?

Answer
Hi Ash. Since I cannot see you dance I can't say when you should start dancing in pointe shoes. It does sound like you have worked hard and are close! However, there is a way you can assess yourself with specific tests of strength, if you are interested.

I write technique articles at http://www.theballetstore.com There are many suggestions in those articles for exercises which help you see how much strength you have, to do certain movements properly. There are also articles there on getting exactly the right fit in pointe shoes, and some foot strengthening exercises.

There is an even more specifically focused book written by a dance medicine specialist, which you can link to from theballetstore.com. It is a book written for students to self-assess for pointe work level strength. The author also gives charts to note progress, and safe daily routines to practice at home. It is written to prevent dance injuries and for a student to know with utmost confidence whether they are ready for pointe shoes or not. And if you are not ready, these practices will get you ready!

I recommend that you get this if you can, it's called The Perfect Pointe Book. Videos and photos are included. You download it to your computer, and the author charges $47.77 US for it. It truly is a book you can practice with for years. I believe the link to it is on the front page of the site. It covers many of the finer details of dancing safely in pointe shoes.

Please feel free to ask any further questions. All the best, Dianne.