Expert: Connie - 12/15/2006

Question
Hello, my name is Annie and I'm 15. i took ballet for many years when i was younger but then i stopped. Am i able to start up again? also i am 5 feet tall and 155 pounds am i to over weight to do ballet also how long do you think it will take to get to pointe if i work everyday to my fullest ability

Answer
I don't see why you wouldn't be able to start up again.  You probably would need to lose some weight so you can feel comfortable and not injure yourself, but that can easily be accomplished by eating a little less and adding in exercise, like the ballet you want to take.  Also, most people are so excited to do pointe, but you really have to get the basics first.   Pointe is just an extension of your technique, so once you have a solid technique you'll be able to do pointe.  If you worked every day to your fullest ability and you have a good teacher it would probably take one to two years to start pointe.  However, please please only start pointe if your teacher thinks you're ready or otherwise you may get injured.  Good luck!