Are You Ready To Go On Pointe?

Are You Ready To Go On Pointe?

This post is for people who want to go on pointe, but are not sure if they are ready yet! Follow this Beginner’s Guide to Going on Pointe to see if you are ready to go on pointe. Hey all! My name is Gabby and I am a dancer of 15 plus years. I feel I have learned a thing or two along the way… Growing up it was always so interesting watching other dancers go on their toes. I told myself at a very young age “I need that for myself”. And by golly I got it. But looking back I really don’t think I was actually ready to go on pointe. Getting my first pair of shoes goes down in the books as an event I will never forget. I mean it ACTUALLY happened! My first class I wore pointe shoes that did not fit my foot properly, with only lambs wool. The P A I N I remember half way through the class I literally lost both of my pinky toe nails (sorry, graphic!) I could not believe it, I thought this would be effortless?! I did end up switching to different shoes, and actual toe pads, but I really thought, “Gosh I cannot let the next person make this same mistake”. So here we are, the Beginner’s Guide to Going On Pointe. As always folks, make sure you talk with your own teachers/studio directors, professionals in your area. Do your own research and gather all the facts. This is what I have gathered as the main factors I consider when my students approach me and tell me they want to go on pointe: #1 Age One of the key components of my analysis in putting a dancer on pointe is, what age are they? On average, the bones of the feet harden around ages 13-15. That being said, I do not consider dancers younger than the age of 12, for pointe. Now this is really just my personal opinion regarding the correct age. Some argue as young as 10 is acceptable. Some say wait till 13. I invite you to research some of the implications of going on any younger than 12! #2 Number of Years in Ballet Training My second question always is “How long have you been in ballet?” That is: how long have you been taking at least 3 ballet classes a week (preferably more). This is going to tell me A LOT about where the dancer is technique-wise. Do they have the basic positions of the feet and arms? Do they have trunk stabilization? Are they able to support themselves on one leg? In my experience and research, I believe you really need to have at least 3 years of ballet training before considering pointe. #3 Training In Pre-Pointe Classes Third consideration, does your studio offer any pre-pointe classes and if so, how long have you been enrolled in those classes? In my experience, dance studios that have pre-pointe classes often have more dancers that are ready for pointe than those who don't. If your studio doesn’t offer a pre-pointe class, check out my youtube. #4 Anatomy As stated above, please go to a professional regarding physical requirements of being on pointe. I cannot claim that I am anywhere near qualified to assess the anatomy of the foot of a dancer, and how that anatomy could potentially affect their going on pointe. It’s crazy enough that we put 100% of our weight on our toes... inside a paper box (yikes!). This is why if you can make it happen, I 100% recommend seeing a foot specialist (preferably one familiar with pointe!) on the anatomy of your feet and if they can withstand the madness you are about to put them through! #5 Desire to Be a Professional Ballerina or Dancer How serious are you about ballet? I know that your knee jerk reaction is going to be “I love ballet!” But really, when you sit down and you ask yourself what your absolute favorite genre of dance is, is it really ballet? Is that the genre you can really do it for the foreseeable future? The reason I am saying this isn’t because I don't think you shouldn't go on pointe, or that I try to discourage as many people as possible from going on pointe, but with the potential for injury... the amount of money spent... the amount of time you need to put into getting "good" on pointe... and really how high-risk this art form is... it simply isn't worth it if your not 100% serious about it. Other Factors... #6 Finances The average pointe shoe falls anywhere between $60-$150 dollars. Families are SHOCKED in the first year of their student going on pointe, when their kids are just running through the shoes weekly or monthly. I remember it so clearly when I had my first class of students going on pointe, the parents telling me - “We JUST bought them shoes this year?!”

On the inside I am giggling because my family had to buy new shoes for me every 1-2 weeks, times that by the number of years I was on pointe (age 12-16) and yeah, I would say it is a BIG consideration to take into account. PARENTS: Make sure you are ready to take on this kind of financial commitment! And I say commitment because it WILL affect the safety and well-being of your dancer! #7 Potential Second Opinion From a Serious Ballet Teacher TEACHERS: I personally always get a second opinion from another teacher. This teacher usually has as much knowledge and experience as I, sometimes even more. They may see things your eye did not catch. They may have pointers the dancer can work on. Overall it is much healthier to be safe than sorry. In conclusion... I know it is super tempting to look at pointe and go “Gosh if only…” and I say this because that WAS me… ‘ooo-ing and ahhh-ing’ at the dancers already on pointe. But please, please! Take these tips into consideration and really be sure to ask yourself if you are ready and able to commit to this endeavour! Best of luck to you all! #pointe #beginnerpointe #goingonpointe #requirementsforpointe

How To Dress For Ballet Class

Growing up in the ballet world, it was always so confusing what was truly appropriate to wear to ballet class. Even after 16 years of ballet, I still see variations from classroom to classroom, school to school.

But to set the record straight, ballet dancers typically wear specific types of clothing when they dance. For women, this typically includes a leotard, ballet tights, and ballet shoes. For men, it may include a dance belt, tights, and ballet shoes. In addition to these basic items, dancers may also wear a tutu or other ballet skirt for performances, or a ballet sweater or wrap for warmth during class.

Here are some tips for dressing for ballet class:

1. Wear a leotard: A leotard is a form-fitting, one-piece garment that covers the torso and legs. It is an essential piece of dancewear, as it allows the teacher to see the dancer's alignment and movements clearly. I personally believe discount dance has some of the best range of leotards (and dancewear in general). However if you are more well-endowed, you might want to check out June Dancewear.

2. Wear ballet tights: Ballet tights are form-fitting, stretchy tights that are typically worn with a leotard. They come in various colors, including pink, black, and tan. So Danca has the most soft tights in my opinion, but you can also check out Bloch's tights!

3. Wear ballet shoes: Ballet shoes are lightweight, flexible shoes with leather or canvas soles and an elastic strap that holds the shoe in place on the foot. Personally, I believe the canvas will always be prettier on the foot than leather. I prefer the So Dancaaa shoes, but some prefer the Capezio Ballet Flats.

4. Dress appropriately for the weather: If it is cold outside, you may want to wear a sweater or wrap over your leotard to stay warm during class. You may also want to keep some dance warmups for the first few combinations in class!

It is important to wear clothing that is comfortable and allows you to move freely. Avoid wearing baggy clothing, as it can get in the way of your movements.

Cheers dancers!

Adult Beginner Ballet Dancers Need Help! The Beginners Guide to Ballet

Growing up I was very fortunate to have access to everything I needed to become the well-rounded and professional dancer I always dreamed about being.

Unfortunately, not many 14 something year olds really understand how good they actually have it until they grow up.

Corrections, attention, and really just being taken seriously during class makes a HUGE difference.

Access to classical technique training, pilates, teachers that had been in the industry for upteen years, summer intensives, really anything that would grow me as a pre-professional at the time.

As you may already know, I decided not to become a professional ballerina, and instead took a different route with my years of knowledge.

I now dance recreationally, taking open classes at any studio I can find nearby.

In taking open class after open class, I realized something…

Recreational adult and beginner dancers aren’t taken that seriously!

So let’s say you are an adult that wants to learn ballet from start to finish.

Here’s probably what will happen:

-You will go to the studio closest to you and sign up for a beginner adult ballet class.

-You are going to go to this class and be absolutely overwhelmed by the terminology, positions, timing, teachers cues.

-You are going to walk out going “Really? This is ballet?”.

-Probably feeling extremely disappointed by now, you will circle back to the front desk and ask for a more “from scratch” approach to ballet.

And of course you are looking for something that is going to teach you everything from how to breath to how to stand in first position. The receptionist is going to look at you and go “we don’t have this for adults but you can start with the kids!”

How humiliating! Learning ballet should not be this difficult for an adult!

So many open classes I take I find little to no explanation of steps given, little to no correction, and rarely anyone is being taken seriously.

And in speaking to several of the students taking, I constantly hear “I don’t even know what this step is”, “What does she mean by turnout from the top of your legs?”, “What does elongate even mean?!”.

So much frustration simply around how to do classical ballet technique and survive a beginner class.

Contrary to popular belief, adult dancers and those who are starting later in life with ballet, really do want to be taken seriously, to understand the movements, to be corrected.

Really just to feel like they are even getting their money's worth out of the hour and a half class.

As adults we know that one of the most precious things you have is time. No one wants their time wasted!

I saw a massive need to teach these adult dancers ballet from the most fundamental standpoint, to a full on ballet class.

This is very lacking in today’s world!

I thought to myself “there really should be a program for adults to learn the ABC’s of ballet without feeling completely humiliated as an adult!”

Why did it hit me several years later that I could create that course. (oof!)

I mean seriously over 15 years of ballet knowledge and I could really afford to give all that back at a really low cost! And in a way where we could save all the embarrassment of not knowing ANYTHING yet! Starting from the absolute beginning!

Don’t worry, if you have thought this very thing. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

That is why I created The Beginner’s Guide to Ballet. Learning classical ballet technique from how to use your breath, to how to leap across the floor (I am referring to the grande jete of course!), to what turnout is and how to find it, to how to do a pirouette.

All the fundamentals in literally one place, how convenient! No more scrolling for hours on Youtube, trying to piece together how to truly master this artform.

And here’s the best part. You don’t have to leave your home! You can really learn everything right in your kitchen!

No more confusion trying to figure out what the teacher even means when she says “Lift up!”.

After taking this course, you will feel very confident in classical ballet terminology, posture, and class structure.

And you won't break the bank! How about that!

But the best part will be that:

You can go into a beginner course feeling less lost!

Sound interesting? Follow this link to watch a demo video!

https://ballettoyou.thinkific.com/courses/beginner-s-guide-to-ballet

See you at the barre!

Gabby