Ballet related. (pointe)?

Question

i have been dancing for about 7 yrs.

i had done about a year of ballet when i was 2 but stopped.

last september i started ballet again and have taken grade 3 exams with the IDTA.

this october im taking grade 4, in february grade 5 and then i will put pointe shoes on. do you believe, talking to proffessional ballet dancers, its too early to put pointe shoes on with only about a yr and a half of ballet? any risks?

Answer 1

If your teacher says you're ready then you know you're ready...just make sure to continue with regular ballet training and hopefully there will be no issues :)

maui: it doesn't matter about leg strength...just your ankles.

Answer 2

Not at all, as long as you feel like you can, and your legs are strong enough.  Even though, I passed my exams, my mom made me get x-rays to make sure my growth plate was closed.  Thank God it was!  You can't do any damage if it is.  Good Luck and Have fun!  :)

Answer 3

no, as long as you have level 5 skills and your legs are strong enough you will be fine :)

i remember my grade 3 exam, hah :)

good luck on pointe! xx

Answer 4

As long as your feet are fully grown and you have been practicing your strenthening excercises enough then you should be fine. the legs do have to be strong because if they aren't you could hold yourself incorrectly and therfore hurt your back.Rises, releves, etc are excellent for the strength needed for point work. Are the dates for exams aprroximate or set? because they seem a very tight schedule. I teach ISTD and I allow 12 - 18 months of 2 hourly sessions per week for any grade above grade 4 because there is so much more background and vocabulary to learn. Plus my grade 6's do 1 1/2 hours pointe work per week including mainly strength work. Good luck and enjoy.