Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 2/8/2009

Question
Hi,
I've just started ballet at age 15 after doing tap and jazz since i was about 4. I was just wondering if there were any exercises I could do at home to help strengthen my ankles and any muscles required for pointe work. I think tapping (or maybe just naturally) has given me weak ankles and I'd really love to begin en pointe as quickly as possible! Please could you explain the terms you use as i'm not that familiar yet with the correct terms. Thanks in advance.

Answer
Hi Sophie. I could write a book about how to strengthen for pointe work, literally. And I couldn't explain it all to you right here.

I have written many articles about ballet technique and strengthening for preparing to dance in pointe shoes, at http://www.theballetstore.com Both in the Articles section, and the blog section.

Another method for pre-pointe I strongly recommend to every ballet student is buying The Perfect Pointe Book. The author's link is on the home page of the site I mentioned above, and she charges $47.77 US. It is a precise, detailed manual explaining everything about foot anatomy, foot type, correct posture, turnout and balance. It is written by a former ballet dancer and dance medicine specialist who writes to inform every student how to progress faster onto pointe shoes and learn how to prevent dance injuries.

She even includes self-assessment charts and practice charts so that you know how you are progressing! As every individual dance student will progress differently, you can establish your own routines. There are photos, and videos to look at as well.

At http://www.theballetstore.com there is in the buttons at the top, also a Ballet Glossary. Just click on it and you can look up French words for ballet.

If you cannot buy The Perfect Pointe Book right now, get started reading the articles about strengthening the feet and perfecting your posture and turnout for the best ballet positions and movements that you can do. By the way, doing tap will not weaken your ankles. As long as you are doing your ballet properly, you will continue to get stronger. Focus on strengthening the soles of the feet and you will begin to feel a difference. All in the articles I mentioned!

All the best, Dianne

Feel free to get back to me at any time.