Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 4/17/2009

Question
My 12 year old daughter has been dancing for 10 years. Ballet is her favorite. This is her first year en pointe. We had a hard time getting shoes that she liked. We just bought her Russian shoes and so far she loves them. She has beautiful strong legs but she seems to get tired during pointe. Should I have her eat or drink special before class. I am trying hard to discourage her from eating junk food before class. She has a small frame but she appears strong. Thanks.

Answer
If she can eat at least an hour before class that would be
best.

Muscle weakness showing up in a pointe class might mean that she needs some extra exercises every day to build more strength.

Unfortunately I cannot see her dance and explain that it is her feet, her legs, or her back that needs strengthening.

I would ask her teacher. She would be the one to know what area needs daily work to be strengthened.

I think you are right to discourage the eating of junk food. Anytime! Snacks such as walnuts, cheese, celery, a good quality beef jerky, fresh fruit, will ALWAYS produce more energy than junk food. In fact, junk food, with its added sugars and starchy content is a tiring kind of food. It takes a lot of energy to digest and gives out little.

Unfortunately the food issue comes up a lot as a disagreement between parents and children...-

The only other thing I can suggest is that she do foot muscle exercises. They are well detailed in The Perfect Pointe Book, which can be found at http://www.theballetstore.com and are also in many of the articles on that site, if your daughter is up for some reading.

I wish I could help more with this. Again, I would ask her teacher, but if your daughter would not want you to, then she should ask the teacher herself, what exactly would help her strengthen faster.

All the best, Dianne