Q&A for How to Dance En Pointe

Take the inside ribbon and pull it tight around your ankle and guide it around again to the middle—it should stop between your Achilles and your ankle bone. Then, take the outside ribbon, going from the front and around to meet the first ribbon between the ankle bone and the Achilles tendon. Tie the ribbons in a knot. From there, check your foot to make sure that the ribbons are really secure, and cut the ribbon at an angle (the point to the ribbon has to be on an angle).

Use foot cream regularly, change bandages often if you have blisters and stretch your feet before and after you dance.

Yes, your toes will be pointed downward to support your body when dancing en pointe.

Your teacher will tell you when you're ready. You could ask her, but many teachers get annoyed when students ask to go en pointe because it is such a common request. They prefer that their students trust them and wait patiently.

Yes, of course. Not all famous dancers you see today started at the age of 3 or 4. Some even started at 18.

It all depends on what type of padding you get. It's a good idea to wear padding at first so you don't damage your feet.

No, it's never too late to start, but you need to take beginner's ballet classes before you even think about going en pointe.

Pointe shoes can bear hundreds of pounds if the proper form is used.

Most cities have dance studios everywhere, so simply look up dance studios (on Google Maps) or look up private schools near by. Also, use recreation centers local to you. You will not be able to go straight en pointe, so be prepared for a few years of hard ballet on flat canvas or leather shoes by way of preparation.

That would NOT be a good idea. You should at least be over the age of 11 or 12. Your bones have not finished growing so they will be very easy to break. If your dance instructor says you're ready, go for it, but otherwise wait until you are 11 or 12.

Everyone is different. You need to check with a ballet teacher before starting pointe, or else you could get injured. If you have never taken ballet before, you will probably have to work for a few years before you are able to go on pointe.

Yes! A lot! Wear toe pads to protect your toes and cut your toenails very short to prevent an ingrown toenail.

No, it is never too late to start dancing. Check and see if your local studio offers adult beginner classes and go for it!

It all depends on how much ballet training you have had, and when your teacher says that you have the right amount of strength in your ankles and feet.

Don't start without a teacher's permission. If you do, you could seriously harm your bones.

You're never too old to start ballet classes. Just make sure you listen to your instructor when it comes to things like going en pointe.

You can, but it would be a good idea to get some practice before doing so. For example, if you had a month off, you should do a week long review session. If it was long-term, you'd need to practice for 2 to 3 months.

If you are ready for pointe, then trust your teacher! They won't tell you that you're ready for something if you're not. Just work up to it slowly and recognize that it will take a lot of practice to perfect.

Yes, as long as they have strong feet and ankles and have received proper training.

You can't play with them, pointe shoes are sacred and should only be used when practicing or during shows. Also, you should only learn in them under the guidance of an instructor or you might break your toes or some feet bones.

Unless your friend is a ballet teacher, I would not recommend it. Learning from someone who isn't a professional is a big risk for injury.

Point is not something you can rush. You will be ready when you are ready. If you try to go on before you are ready, you could get seriously injured. Just stay dedicated and try very hard, and you may get the pointe shoes faster. Just don't force it.

If your teacher says you're ready, then yes. If not, work really hard so that you can prove that you should be able to do it next year!

No. You need to take ballet for another 3-5 years to regain the skills, flexibility, and strength.

Yes; however, it takes years of training for you to get en pointe, and even then you should ask your dance instructor whether you're ready.

DO NOT DO IT. Without proper training, you could severely hurt yourself. You most likely fo no have the ankle strength to do this. It takes 8 to 9 years of ballet training to be even ready to go up on pointe.

No. Without proper training, you can get seriously injured. Pointe may look easy on stage, but that is because we have to make it look easy or no one would want to come and watch ballets. If you really want to go on pointe, go to a studio and get trained by professionals who know when a student is ready and how to properly teach them.

No. don't ever decide that you're ready for pointe without consulting your teacher so that you do not cause great harm to yourself and your joints/bones.

Yes, it is safe, if your teacher thinks it is. If you have good technique and strong ankles, you should be fine.

Grishko, Bloch, Sansha, Chacott, Suffolk, Capezio, Freed of London, Gaynor Minden, Wear Moi, So Danca, and Russian Pointe.