I need to get stronger so i can get onto pointe HELP PLEASE?

Question

i am not yet strong enough to get on pointe,could anyone please give me things i can do everyday to get stronger without me buliding the wrong muscels

thanks so much

all answers appreciated!!!!

Answer 1

streth a lot. at my studio, my instructor calls them calf killers. you start in coupe' and releve' 8 times. then you go up to posse' for 8 times. then attitude. then arabesque. then you switch legs. also, stretch by lunging.

Answer 2

Do calf raises...try holding releve's for a long period of time...time yourself each day you do them..and just keep practicing...sometimes it has to come natural..dont force it..just keep working!!! good luck

Answer 3

Hi "I",

To get onto pointe, you need to have very strong muscles in your feet that are very difficult to strengthen.  Like Tomato said, it's very helpful to get an exercise band (or Theraband™) for strengthening ankles and deep arch muscles.  Try these websites for exercise bands:

http://www.discountdance.com/frame_set.p...

http://www.thera-band.com/store/index.ph...

Some exercises I recommend are the following.  First, you want to strengthen your calves and ankles, which can be done by doing multiple relevés or "killers".  For your first time I recommend 64, and progressively increase in number each time you do them (usually I increase by increments of 8).  I recommend using music for that, so if you have a ballet CD, or even just some of your favorite songs, play that while you're doing your killers.  This exercise should burn in your inner thighs and calves.  It strengthens the inner thighs, calves, ankles, and tarsels.

Next, you want to take your towel or resistance band and put it flat onto the ground longways.  Sit down in front of it and put your foot on top near the edge.  Now, scrunch your toes in and out, in and out so that the towel or band moves toward you.  Once you get to the end, turn it around and do it again.  I would recommend this rotation twice on your first time, progressively increasing each time you do the exercise.  You should feel it in your entire ankle, inner arches, and upper arches.  This strengthens the deep supporting arches, tarsals, metatarsals, Achilles tendon, and deep core muscles in your feet, which allow you to safely and securely go en pointe.

Your teacher will look for the following things before letting you go en pointe.  First, they will want to see that you can go on 3/4 pointe in regular ballet shoes or barefoot.  3/4 pointe is involves going up not completely on the toes or rolling over, but right in the middle of the pad of your toes.  This requires strength and you may not be able to get it and hold it immediately, but as your feet strengthen, it will get easier.

Next, your teacher will want to see impeccable technique en flat.  You can't be expected to safely and effectively perform steps en pointe if you can't safely and effectively perform them en flat.  You will need at least a triple pirouette in impeccable form, excellent barrework, and good stamina.

Your teacher will also want to know that you've been dancing ballet for at least 4 years, give or take depending on the level of professionalism of your school.  Obviously, there are exceptions, but most of the time the school is pretty strict about their minimum experience requirements and abides by them.

Good luck and hope this helped.  Remember, always feel free to contact me with further questions.♥

Answer 4

STRETCH AND CONDITION LIKE CRAZY!

Try sitting in front of the TV and continually point and flex for at least 15 minutes a night. In a couple weeks you will see a world of a difference. Also, during ballet class, put extra effort into your tendu's and releve's. It seems so simple and stupid, but it's the only way to truly build up your ankles.

Answer 5

get a theraband! helps so much! if that's not an option, write the alphabet with ur ankles! also do calf raises!

good luck! hope i helped!

Answer 6

Stand on a stair with only the balls of your feet on the end and do releves until it kind of burns on the calf muscle. I thought it was cool how I could see how much I improved each time I did it.