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Ballet/Strengthening ankles for pointe

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Expert: - 9/13/2007


Question
My daughter just turned 12 and began learning pointe last year- 30 minute class/week. Full hour class starts this week.  She has weak ankles and flat feet.  Any suggestions for good exercises and/or pointe shoes?
Thank you for your efforts!

Answer
For the weak ankles she can do releves (8 on each foot, and then 16 on both), circles (15 slow each way, and work up from there), and theraband exercises.  Pointe shoes are harder to give advice about.  They are very specific to your type of foot, so trying on a bunch of different ones are the only way to find the perfect pair.  good luck!

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Connie

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I can answer lots about ballet, specifically the Vaganova syllabus. I'm still training, but both my parents were professional dancers, so most answers will be coming from them, not me. :) They're the experts. Obviously, questions about difficult technique, etc, would be better answered with someone else, but if you're just becoming interested in dancing, or are having problems with basic steps, like pirouettes or plies, then I may be able to help

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I've seen ballet since the age of 0, because of my parents, and I am training to become a professional dancer now.

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