Expert: treivilo - 4/27/2009

Question
Hi Treivilo,

my daughter has been learning ballet since she was five. she is now 9 years old ans was selected to be trained with Russian teacher with Russian method. there will be traing of 2 hours four days per week. I heared that too much heavy training will effect the growth(taller) of child. Is this true? can you tell me whats the average heights of ballett dancer? from my observation most ballet dancer aren't tall. can you please give me your true advice from expert point of view.

thanks,

Jenny

Answer
Good Morning Jenny,

Russian method - and also Russian teachers - is very strict. At 9, your daughter must be ready to handle very high pressure and a strict level of education.

In return, she will receive a high quality ballet learning.

To answer your questions, 2 hours per days, 4 days a week is not "too much", as long as your daughter's teacher is able to let her "listen to her body" and understand that she can sometimes be tired and must not break it. You have a great work to do there, beeing able to see the pain coming before tears are here. But, in any case, I am absolutely convinced you already know and do this, as you ask me this question.

Now, about growth ; You are right, most ballet dancers are not tall, usually between - sorry, I will use metrics - 1.45 and 1.65 meters tall, rarely more. Your children will grow, at no doubt, but ballet training - and mostly pointe shoes training - can have an impact on her growing. Do not worry that much actually, her body will inform her if things do not go right, and you will need to have her reduce ballet, temporary, to let her body change.

Please, feel free to contact me for any other concern,

Regards

Olivier