Point Toes Hard for Ballet

Having a very hard, pointed toe is very important in ballet. It will help you on turns, relieves (rises) as well as jumps (elevation). It is also very important for you pointed toe to be excellent if you ever get good enough to start pointe work. This exercise strengthens your foot, and to help you get more comfortable with a hard, pointed toe.

Steps

  1. Find a chair that is high enough so that your feet dangle off the floor
  2. Sit in it, with your back straight and your upper body in the position you use when dancing. Your legs should be dangling straight down.
  3. Completely relax your legs and feet.
  4. You can do this with one leg at a time, or both. Its your choice.
  5. Point your toes as hard as you can for twenty five seconds. Force your toes down, and the arch of your foot should have a cramp. The top of your foot should hurt, also.
  6. Relax your muscles for ten seconds.
  7. Repeat as many times as necessary, I recommend around ten in a row.
  8. You should do this 3+ times a day (SEE TIPS)
  9. As your foot gets stronger, you may increase the increments of time you stretch your foot for. (Ex.: 35 seconds, 45 seconds, 1 or 2 minutes even!)
  10. In your ballet classes, see the result!

Tips

  • It is supposed to hurt! As the saying goes... "No pain, No gain!"
  • Take off your shoes, wear a sock or, even better, bare feet.
  • It is not hard to find time for this exercise. Even if you are at work or in school, you can do this sitting at a desk, in a meeting, even in a cafeteria!
  • You must do this consistently for results. As your foot gets stronger, you must increase the amount of times you do this per day!
  • Stay relaxed.
  • If you don't have an arch on your foot, then pointing and flexing your toes should be a mandatory exercise. If you point and flex your toes every day for at least ten minutes, you'll get the arches on your feet in no time, and your pointe will be MUCH MUCH better than before.

Warnings

  • Do not push too hard. It can cause possible damage to your foot.
  • Pointe work is for very experienced ballerinas with a qualified instructor! Never try pointe without a teacher that can help you.
  • Make sure you ask your teacher for advice about pointing.

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