Q&A for How to Stand En Pointe

There are a few things you can do. In each position, do a few eleves (they are like releves, but you don't plie), making sure you are at the maximum turnout. Squeeze your butt cheeks when you go up. This will help you maintain your turnout. Also, make sure that you are turning out from your hips, and not your knees or ankles.

You need years of training to go en pointe. If you are not strong enough (that is, not able to use the muscles in your feet and legs to keep yourself from "sagging" while en pointe) you can do serious damage to your joints. Even if you are strong enough to go en pointe, most people take weeks to months to be able to balance steadily.

Not at all. It's hard on your toes, but they do not get broken from being danced on.

No, you cannot. Improper shoes lack the support needed for pointe, and you could damage your toes, feet, or ankles.

They will always hurt, even after years of practice. But you'll get used to it.

Your weight won't matter when you are on pointe. If you go to a store and get fitted properly, they will advise you on the best shoes for you.

It depends on your abilities and how hard you practice. Be patient and work hard.

You should definitely not start en pointe unless your instructor says you are ready, which can be at any age. It's more about your level of experience.

You can find them at almost every dance supply store. Make sure you ask your ballet teacher(s) if you need help finding a place.

First, make sure you can do a clean single and double turn and that you have practiced them enough on pointe to know how much force you need for them. After you are happy with your single and double turns on pointe, try to open your arms before the turn and pull them in quickly as you start the turn along with the amount of plie you need for a double turn. Everyone is different in terms of the amount of plie you need, so it will take practice to get it right.

No, you need to be taught properly by a ballet teacher. It's not just strength that you need, it's also technique.

Having a ballet teacher is a better option, but if you're confident in your abilities and listen to your body, you should be fine.

Do NOT start pointe without consulting your dance instructor first. They can tell you if you are physically and mentally strong enough to handle pointe training, and what you need to work on in order to start. You can cause severe injuries if you attempt pointe on your own or without instructor approval.

Yes, that is extremely dangerous and you could easily break your ankle or your foot. Your technique, foot strength, and ankle flexibility need to be evaluated by a professional first.

Along with having a sturdy barre or other solid surface to hold onto, you should have somebody there to help you. The first few moments en pointe are critical to the development of the shape of the foot and how it sits in the shoe, so it's very important to have a teacher or experienced individual there to help you stand with the proper alignment.

You will need the proper shoes to prevent injuries, and also ensure that you are practicing and following your teacher's instructions so you do not hurt yourself.

Never go en pointe without a proper pointe shoe! It can be very damaging to your feet and ankles.

Yes, that is not normal. Do not do that again unless you want to destroy your foot structure! It can be very harmful and dangerous to your toes and feet.

Enhance your arch. Stand up, in first position, and lift one foot, and point it (still in first position). Now imagine that leg stretches. If your toes face the ground, you are ready. Ankle strengthening exercises also help.

Pointe takes many years of ballet classes and intense training to reach. If you are still interested, sign up for ballet classes.

You can't. Going on pointe takes 3+ years of proper training, hard work, strength in ankles and more.

Yes! The classic elevés and relevés are great. Start with your feet close together, parallel (so facing in front of you), and lift up so that your weight is on the ball of your foot, with all 5 toes on the floor. You can do this with a plie before it as well. Do them in both parallel and first position. Try to keep your pelvis tucked under and your shoulders down. The slower you go, the more effective it will be.