For more information on ballet pointe work, please visit: http://tinyurl.com/prepointe

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For helpful tips on pointe work, please take a look at this:
http://tinyurl.com/prepointe
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Pre pointe exercises are important for any ballet dancer to master before beginning pointe work.
Often, a new dancer will spend years working on the beginner exercises before moving on to
pointe work, and there is good reason not to rush this process along. Most dancers begin ballet in
childhood, and a child's feet are fragile and may become seriously injured if the pre pointe
exercises are not given their due attention. They work to strengthen all of the muscles in the feet
to prepare them for what is to come, and they also offer help in the areas of posture and poise too.
So what happens if you rush through the early training and jump ahead before you are ready?
Those fine muscles in the feet can be torn or damaged, and the injuries sustained likely will be for
life. This, of course, could end any dreams a dancer may have.
Mastering Pre Pointe Exercises
If you are wondering how to know when to move beyond pre pointe exercises and begin the pointe
training, you are not alone. With so much at stake with foot injuries and more, you certainly want to
take every precaution necessary. First, every dancer should ensure that proper technique has
been learned through the pre pointe exercises. This is perhaps most important, and it can be
mastered sooner if a dancer spends a lot of time practicing and training. Muscle strength is also
critical, and it often may help to have a ballet dancer cross-train with other sports and activities to
build muscle strength faster. It is also important to understand that a dancer will need to be
mentally ready to move to the next level. This involves the ability to work on his or her own without
the constant oversight of an instructor to keep him or her in line. When these areas are all present
and accounted for, your instructor will likely talk to you about beginning the pointe training. If you
feel that you are ready to move on, it is advisable to seek advice from your instructor or other
seasoned dancers first.
Additional Training for Pre Pointe Exercises
Often, training in a studio with an instructor is limited, so it is often necessary to practice at home.
You can certainly take home your pre pointe exercises that you have been practicing in the studio,
but you may also benefit from adding other elements to your workout, too. Cross-training is always
a good idea for developing strength. For learning the right technique, time should be spent with the
ballet exercises. There are some books and DVDs that offer additional training that can be
undertaken at home to aid in learning of proper technique. Keep in mind to look for training DVDs
and books that offer plenty of pictures and descriptions so that you can ensure you are mastering
the correct techniques instead of learning poor habits. It can be a long and frustrating journey for a
dancer to move from these preliminary training times to the point where he or she is ready for
pointe training, but for many dancers that time will indeed come with practice and dedication.

2. I have found an excellent site by a sports physiotherapist that explains in detail all of the pre pointe
exercises as well as advice on all things ballet. Utilising video to educate, as well as explain details
about technique without injury this site is one of the best I have come across in the field of dance.
For further information go to www.perfectpointe.info
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nichole_Martin
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For helpful tips on pointe work, please take a look at this:
http://tinyurl.com/prepointe
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