It is better to continue pointe-work with a teacher you have had for several years. They should be able to tell you when you are ready for pointe-work.
To start pointe-work, the dancer must be extremely strong and well trained in basic ballet techniques. You must be physically and mentally prepared to start this kind of work. Do not ever attempt pointe-work without a professional instructor to give you the go-ahead. Dancing on pointe can be somewhat painful to a beginner or someone without proper instruction.
On your own, practice heel-raises to help strengthen your ankles. Stand on your toes and raise your heels up in the air, flexing your calves. Stay balanced. Repeat these raises in sets of 10 or 15. Do three sets, with a minute of rest in between. [3] X Research source
If you’re a little freaked out, get beginner pointe shoes. They will support your feet better if you don’t have as strong a foot as is needed to stand fully on your toes yet.
Make sure that your pointe shoes fit your feet snugly. They should make your feet look long and thin. If you have soft arches, make sure that the shoe you get has a soft shank. Some good shoes for people with soft arches are Capezio, Mirella, and Bloch Sonata. If you have strong arches, you should try Grishko and Russian Pointe. Don’t buy the shoes online. Pointe shoes are extremely hard to fit, and you should take at least a half hour with the salesperson to find the right fit. Don’t try to purchase shoes in a larger size, expecting that you will grow into them. The shoes should fit perfectly and be slightly difficult to put on.
Do not wear your pointe shoes without your teacher, but wait for your instructor’s approval. Be patient. For many dancers, beginner classes aren’t super-fun, but they are crucial to building strength.
Keep a strong core. Dancing en pointe is much harder to maintain balance and so it is crucial to have a strong core. If your core is lose, chances are, you’ll get hurt or it will just be much more complicated than it needs to be. Point your foot in your shoe. This will help you stabilize yourself for barre and center work. When you’re en pointe, that doesn’t mean that your foot is truly pointed. Think about pulling up and out of your shoes.
Don’t sink in your pinky toe. This is known as sickling. It is really bad for your feet, ankles, and knees and makes dancing harder, not to mention potentially causing serious injury. Keep your weight in the middle of the box, on your big toe.
After class, put baby powder on your feet to soak up the sweat and do the same with your padding. Always keep your toenails to average length (not too long nor too short– which can be very painful) Let your pointe shoes air out because if you don’t they will soak up the sweat and break faster. Remember that pointe shoes only last up for a few months or years, depending on how often you use them. For professionals, they usually go through numerous pairs in just a few months or even week/s.
It is nearly impossible to force turnout en pointe so you need to have strong turnout ahead of time. A suitable exercise for readying yourself for turnout is the frog stretch. [9] X Research source Ankle strength is the most important thing if you don’t want to get hurt. Do some relevés at the bar before class. Soften (bend) your knees slightly when doing pointe work.
