Should i start ballet?

Question

i am 13 and i want to start ballet but i have a few questions

how long will it take to get to pointe

when will i start doing like the splits in the air when they run and jump

how flexible should i be (will it help if i can do the splits)

am i to old to do something with this future ballet training later in my life

will i start in a clas with younger kids

will it hurt my feet

how can itell if i have strong ankles

how can i make my ankles stronger

i used to do irish dance but i quit in about three or four years ago. i can do the splits with my left leg forward and my right leg back and i am about two inches from doing it side to side (i am naturually flexible)

so is ballet the right dance for me!

Answer 1

First of all, no one can tell you if you should start ballet. It's totally up to you, and only you know if you really want to. Okay, the questions. It will probably take a few years to get to pointe. Flexibility stuff depends on you. Everyone's different and some people have to work harder to get flexible. You're probably not too old to do ballet for a career if you try hard. And I mean hard, ballet isn't easy. It depends on what class you're taking on if you'll be with younger kids. You'll probably be with beginners around your age, but I don't know. If you work too hard, it will hurt your feet, and pointe hurts, but if you really love dance, it's worth it.  Your ankles will get stronger as you build your muscles and get better. If you're asking these questions, it seems like you want to do this, so I would say go ahead and take a few classes to see if you like it. Hope I helped =)

EDIT- It's going to take more than a year or two to get on pointe, ♥•Mishi•♥. You need to be ready and strong or you'll hurt yourself. Don't expect to get on pointe right away.

Answer 2

Hi there,

1.

Usually after 3-5 years of solid, ballet training, with multiple classes a week.

2.

Once you can do splits on the ground, the jumps and kicks will follow. Just remember: if you can do it on the ground, you can do it in the air. Dance isn't just ability, it's attitude.

3.Yes, it will help if you can do splits. You aren't expercted to be crazy flexible when you first start, but after the first year or two you should have all of your splits down.

4.

No. You can have lots of different jobs with this ballet experience. You could work at a dance magazine (editor, ect), or be a dance physiotherapist (basically teaching dancers about what their foot does when enpointe, help prevent inquries, ect).

5.

No. There should be a teen begginer class. Just be sure to ask!

6.

Yes. At first, you might have blisters, and your muscles might hurt. But, not even pointe hurts your feet later on in life as long as you are careful.

7.

If you can stand on the balls of your feet (not the tippy-toes) for 30 seconds without wobbling, you have strong ankles.

8.

Stand on stairs with most of your foot hangin off, and rise to releve (on the balls of your feet). Then, lower. Do this 30 times a day slowly (it hurts more and helps more!)

And yes, ballet is the right dance for you!!

Have a nice day!!

=)

Answer 3

I'm 13 too, and I'll be starting ballet and jazz in September=)

Ok, it will probably take you 2 years to get en pointe, but if your really gifted it could only take a year.  You will start learning the splits in the air at a higher level (I'm not sure but my friend who is in grade 5, doesn't do those things yet)  Usually when you start ballet, you don't have to be very flexible but being able to do the splits definately does help once you get into the higher grades.  Your not too old to start ballet!!  You might still be able to be a pro, but you would really have to work hard.

You won't be in a class with little kids, you will probably be a beginner teen, adult, or grade 2,3, or 4 class.  Pointe does hurt your feet but you get used to it.  If you have strong ankles, you should probably be able to stand on demi pointe without shaking or wiggling.  To strenghten your ankles use a theraband (a heavy one) or you can stand on the edge of the steps and just rise up onto demi pointe atleast 30 times.  Good luck, and hope I helped!

P.S. Sorry for the really long answer lol

Answer 4

yes you should start ballet ask your teacher how long it will take to get in pointe and it will help if you can do the splits and you're not to old and you probably will start with little kids and it hurts most peoples feet and go up and down in half pointe100 times that will help with your ankles=^..^=

Answer 5

It will take ur several years of regualar ballet trainging, and more or less depending on how much u take a wk. The stronger, better u r and the more classes u take the faster u can get into pointe!  

Since ur 13 they will start u off will small jumps and which is what ur talking ab. I would give them a few weeks and u would b learning that.

U should b flexible, but u can def work on that if ur not! It will help if u can do the splits for some things....and if u can obviously ur a re semi flexible.

U r not to old if u take a lot of dance and r really dedicated and want this.

Ummm there will probally b a junior begininer class of something like that which will range from 6th to 12th graders.

Hmmm...it depends mayb a little at first, but the real pain is in pointe, it will hurt a little but overbearing pain!

Ur jumps and landing will show u if u have strong ankle

To make ur ankles stronger do some begining stuff like relave and eleve, and us a thera band, do demi plies and just simple ballet excersises.

Definatly give it a try!!! Don't give up if u can't do something, work on it! Good Luck!