3 methods of beginning pointe work

Every studio and teacher treats pointe differently. It is impossible to know at exactly what age you or your child will get her first pair of pointe shoes. Every student has a different story, and the dancer's readiness (assessed by teachers, fitters, and possibly doctors) must be considered along with the studio's standards. It is impossible for me to explain the mindset of every studio and teacher, but in this post I want to try to help dancers and parents understand major methods of teaching beginning pointe.

There are three major approaches to putting dancers up en pointe to begin pointe work. I will be calling them "the flat method," "the demi method," and "the full pointe method."  I have come up with these terms because they accurately explain how each method works; they are not universal names that you can expect anyone else to recognize. Also note that I am providing age ranges based on my experience as well a the experiences of others. All studios are different and many dancers go en pointe at different ages. Do not expect your experiences to be identical to what is described. 

The full pointe method

In this method of beginning pointe, students start wearing pointe shoes at a young age with little specific pre pointe work beforehand. Many girls go up around age 9 or 10, but some schools allow students as young as 7 or so get pointe shoes if their teachers think they are ready. The students have usually had at least 3 or 4 years of ballet before going up, and they must demonstrate good strength, technique, and commitment to training in ballet and other exercises multiple times a week. When the girls get their pointe shoes, they usually spend about 15 minutes per class doing basic pointe exercises. This should not exceed about 30 or 45 minutes per week. The students will gradually increase the amount of pointe they do as they age and advance in level. They should begin doing full classes en pointe when they are about 11 or 12 years old (after the growth plates of the foot are fully hardened) and/or they have been en pointe for about 2 years. Sometimes this method is associated with traditional methods of Cecchetti and Vaganova ballet training

Benefits: Students are usually taught a lot about pointe shoes and have a good understanding of the shoes and their feet because of the time taken to work with them en pointe. Students also feel less pain in their shoes because they spend less time en pointe per class, and by the time they do full classes en pointe they are used to pointe shoes and therefore have fewer minor foot problems (blisters, etc.). 

Problems: Students MUST only work en pointe with a teacher and for only a short amount of time per class or she risks severe and irreversible damage to the feet and growth plates. Some doctors, fitters, and other dancers (and dance parents) really disapprove of this method and are sometimes vocal against it. Dancers who start pointe before puberty can outgrow pointe shoes very quickly, which will result in the dancer and parents spending a lot of time and money at the dance store (pointe shoes must fit exactly with no growing room). 

The demi method

This method of teaching requires students to wear pre pointe shoes or demi pointe shoes (these terms mean the same thing) for a period of time (ranging 6 months to 2 years) before the students get their first pair of "real" pointe shoes. Pre pointe shoes are like pointe shoes: they are made of satin and have a hard toe box made of a papier mâché type material.  However pre pointe shoes have no hard shank. They are about as flexible as brand new full sole ballet slippers. Pre pointe shoes are meant to strengthen students' feet and get them used to wearing tougher shoes; they will NOT support a student's weight on full pointe. Students should NEVER rise to full pointe in pre pointe shoes unless a teacher specifically says to do so as part of a supported barre exercise . I like to explain pre pointe shoes as similar to a training bra. The pre pointe shoes provide no support. They just train the dancer to get used to a piece of equipment she will need in the near future. Students training with the demi method usually get their pre pointe shoes between ages 9 and 11, and they usually go en pointe around age 12 or a bit older.

Pre pointe shoes

Benefits: Students are usually very strong and prepared to take good care of their pointe shoes after they have trained for a while with pre pointe shoes. This method also helps ease students from easier flat shoes to tougher pointe shoes. There will be less of a shock with how hard and stiff regular pointe shoes can be. 

Problems: Students must not rise to full pointe in pre pointe shoes. This can cause serious injury and damage to the shoes if the dancer is not supported. Pre pointe shoes look almost identical to real pointe shoes, so students can sometimes make a mistake and think the shoes will support them when they really do not. Also, students will need a professional fitting for pre pointe shoes, but not all dancewear stores carry them. Check with the teacher to find out the best way to acquire pre pointe shoes. 

The flat method

In this approach to pointe, students stay in flat ballet shoes until their teachers deem them completely ready for pointe. Pre pointe exercises are often done (in flat shoes) for a year or more to strengthen the feet to prepare for pointe shoes. Students working with the flat method usually go en pointe between ages 12 and 14 after the growth plates have hardened and the students have demonstrated responsibility and commitment to ballet.  Some schools may require a doctor's visit to make sure the bones and joints are mature and healthy enough to stand the rigors of pointe.  After students get their pointe shoes, they may spend up to half of each class working en pointe at the barre and eventually in the center. Dancers usually do not do whole classes en pointe until they have been up for at least one year. 

Benefits: Little risk of foot damage from overworking pointe too young. Students are usually more mature and careful with their shoes and bodies when working en pointe. Students tend to outgrow fewer pairs of shoes when they begin pointe later, so it can be less of a cost to the parents. 

Problems: Students have to wait longer to get their pointe shoes and may become upset when they see younger girls (usually from other studios) who already have pointe shoes because they train under another method. Students can also become overwhelmed with the big change from easy, comfortable flat shoes to tougher stiff pointe shoes. Students may feel a lot of discomfort when beginning pointe exercises. 

There is absolutely no one right way to begin pointe, and every school and student is different. I hope this post helped broaden your understanding of methods of pointe work. 

Dancewear Trend: Yumiko-like sporty style

Yumiko has been an industry leader is fashionable, quality dancewear for years.  Now, a few other brands, notably those owned by discountdance.com, have been coming out with styles that are almost exact replicas of well-loved Yumiko styles.  The sporty looks often feature bright colors with contrasting trim, unique cuts, and special touches like zips and mesh.  These styles are flattering and usually work well for different styles of dance.

There is a little controversy concerning discount dance and it's related companies creating designs that are nearly identical to designs Yumiko has been selling for years.  I personally prefer to support Yumiko because the company was the original producer of the designs in question.  I also know and love the quality of Yumiko products.  The leotards available from discount dance are cheaper than those from Yumiko, so they seem like a great option for dancers who want a similar style for a cheaper price.

How to clean dance shoes and toe pads

Studio floors are dirty and your feet sweat, so your dance shoes are probably a little less spiffy than the day you pulled them out of the box.  Unfortunately, most dance shoes cannot be washed by throwing them in the washing machine.  In this post I will give you some tips on how to keep your dance shoes fresh.

--Any shoe with a suede sole (including ballet, pointe, ballroom, and some jazz shoes and sneakers) can be brushed with a suede brush (you can also use a pet brush with wire bristles).  Use short strokes to brush any dirt or gunk out of the suede.  Go from various directions to make sure you get everything.

--Shoes with hard leather, hard foam/rubber, or taps on the soles can be cleaned with a damp paper towel.  Water alone will get most of the dirt, but windex or hand sanitizer on a paper towel can be used to get more stubborn dirt and stains.

--Hard structured shoes with leather uppers (like tap shoes or oxford ballroom shoes) can be cleaned with leather cleaner and polished with shoe polish.  Be aware that shoe polish can mark floors.  Shoes with imitation leather uppers do not take leather cleaner or shoe polish, so make sure you know what the shoe is made of before you try to clean it.  Imitation leather shoes (including "patent leather" kids tap shoes) are best cleaned with a damp paper towel.

--Soft leather or imitation leather shoes like ballet or jazz shoes are best cleaned with a damp paper towel.  Just lightly scrub on areas that are dirty.  Do not get the shoe too wet, as leather shrinks when it is wet.  Note that areas of the shoe where the color or finish is rubbed off may look dirty, but will not come clean when wiped.  To get a completely clean shoe, you will have to buy a new pair.

--Canvas ballet shoes and pointe shoes can be cleaned in the same way (with a damp paper towel).  Do not put fabric shoes in the washing machine unless you are ok with shrinking them.  Never get a pointe shoe wet; this will ruin the shoe and change the shape of the toe box, making it unusable.

--All dance shoes can be cleaned inside with antibacterial spray (but be careful not to get pointe shoes too damp).  Talcum powder (especially powders with nice scents) work well too, but they show up on dark interiors and insoles.  Hard shoes like tap shoes can have the insoles removed and replaced.

--Pointe shoe toe pads should be cleaned at least once a month and replaced at least once a year.  Regardless of what the toe pad is made of, wash them in the sink with antibacterial hand or dish soap and let air dry.  Spacers and gel pieces should be washed in the same way.  Fabric toe pads can be washed in the washing machine, but they tend to pill and are easily lost in the machine.

How to handle back-to-dance shopping

Is your local dancewear store always packed during August and September? Does your favorite dancewear website constantly crash or have long shipping times when back-to-school hits?  It's not possible to entirely avoid the chaos, but in this post I will explain the best ways to navigate the back-to-dance shopping madness.

What should be on your list?

Make sure you include all the big necessities (think shoes, tights, leos, and other staple items), as well as things like hair nets and accessories that need to be refreshed for the upcoming season. Get a comprehensive list of dress code requirements from the studio and look it over closely before starting to shop. Check off items you already have, and add other ones that you want. You want to be as prepared as possible for the first class of the year, but remember that you can continue to shop and add to your dance wardrobe throughout the year.

When should you shop?

As soon as you are registered for classes and get the dress code list, think about making the shopping trip. It's ok (good, actually) if it's still a month before classes start. You or your child will probably not outgrow dancewear in this amount of time, and you want to be prepared as early as possible. There is always a small chance that a specific item will be back ordered, and you need to leave time for it to come in before classes start. Never place an online order less than a full week before classes start or the order may not make it in time. Never stop by the dance store on your way to your first class.

Make shoes a priority.

If you have a dancewear store near you, make sure you go there to be properly fit for all your dance shoes (this is very important for children, beginners, and all dancers changing to a new size or brand of shoe; if you are very advanced and get the same shoe every time, then ordering online is ok). If there is no dancewear store in your town, see if there are any you could drive to. Think about making a family day trip to visit a dance store. If there is no way you can go to a store, talk to a teacher or experienced dancer before ordering shoes online.

Sometimes dancewear stores can get very crowded during the back-to-school time. Make sure an employee fits your shoes, even if that's the only thing they can help you with. You can probably figure out most other items on your own by examining the tags and packaging.

If you prefer to shop online, it's usually ok to order tights and other clothing items you are familiar with. (If you or your child are just beginning dance, you may want the expertise of employees at a dance store for these items too.)  Just make sure your shoes are professionally fit for the safest and most successful dance experience.

Don't settle; it's ok to come back later.

One major reason to get shopping early is to have time just in case an item is sold out or back ordered. If your studio requires a specific leotard as the uniform, that is the leotard you need, even if the dancewear store is out or the first website you try doesn't have it.  It's ok to shop around. You can usually place orders through local dancewear to pick up later or to be shipped to your home. Never buy an item that does not meet your dress code in place of an item the store is out of.  You need to wait and have the correct uniform.

If you have a young child, it can be tempting to let him or her pick the dancewear. However, even young ones must meet dress codes. Don't let your child pick things that he or she will not be allowed to wear in class. If your child gets upset, it's ok to leave and come back to the dance store another day. Many stores will hold items for later pickup.  You can also place a sneaky online order, then let your child enjoy it once it arrives in the mail without having him or her involved in the choosing process.

If an item is back ordered more than a few weeks, you may not have it in time for class. Check different physical and online stores for the item, but chances are if it is back ordered at one store, it is back ordered everywhere. Let the staff at your studio know about the problem and ask for advice.  As long as the correct item is on the way they will most likely let you wear something else or go without the item (like dancing barefoot).

You won't necessarily need everything every year.

If your child is young, you will probably need to replace his or her entire dance wardrobe every year. This includes all clothing, shoes, accessories, and possibly a larger dance bag. Older children and teens may need new shoes and tights, but still fit last year's leotards and clothing. Adults and older teens only need to replace dancewear that is worn out. Even if nothing needs immediate replacing, I advise getting a few new items like tights (or anything that wears out easily) around back-to-school just for a fresh start to the season. Wearing old holey tights is not the way to make a good first impression with a new teacher and classmates.

Tiny Tips: scented hand sanitizer

Summer dance classes will leave you sweaty and feeling very un-fresh.  The barre and studio floor are also covered in germs, which flourish even more in warm environments.  Scented hand sanitizers like this one from Bath and Body Works kill germs and smell great.  You can even dab a little behind your ears or anywhere else you would put perfume for a blast of instant freshness.  Many mini sanitizers can be put in cute rubber holders that can hook onto your dance bag or purse, so they are fashionable as well as functional.

DanceSpirit article: Am I ready for pointe?

Check out this great article from DanceSpirit magazine!  It discusses some of the factors that affect a dancer's readiness for pointe training, as well as first pointe stories from well-known professionals.  If you or your child is preparing for beginning pointe classes, this article is a must read.

Access it here: http://www.dancespirit.com/how-to/ballet/am-i-ready-for-pointe/

Stay in shape during your vacation

Are you heading out on a family vacation this summer?  Or just taking a break from the studio between spring and summer classes?  You need to do at least a little to stay in dancer form over the break, especially if you have placement classes or auditions on the horizon.  In this post I'll give a few tips to stay in shape at home and on the road.

If your studio is closed between spring and summer sessions or does not offer classes outside the school year program, you may suddenly find yourself spending a lot more time at home.  Just because you're stuck without a studio does not mean that you're stuck on the couch.  There are plenty of ways to dance and work out without leaving your home. 

The most important thing to remember is to keep moving.  Stay active through running, swimming, or playing outside with friends and pets.  This will keep you in good aerobic health, which is extremely important to your success in dance.

If you want to work with a structured class, look to YouTube.  Kathryn Morgan has an awesome ballet channel that features barre workouts ranging from beginner to advanced.  Check it out at this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ7v_GfFQaVoaPak9_SwR5A.  You can also find some pilates and yoga videos that are easy to follow.  

If you prefer to work on your own, try to think of what you normally do in your dance classes.  Barre can easily be done at a kitchen counter, windowsill, or while holding a chair.  Any hard floor (kitchen tile or linoleum, wood, etc.) can be a dance floor.  Just be aware of the size of the space and adjust your movements to avoid injuring yourself or any property.  (Note: If you are an intermediate/advanced pointe dancer and want to practice at home, make sure you are on a hard floor and have something to use as a barre.  Home floors can be very slippery for pointe shoes.  If you are just beginning pointe, do not practice without the supervision of a teacher).  If you are a tapper or Irish dancer, finding a place to safely and respectfully practice in your hard shoes can be difficult.  Garages are great places to practice if you have permission and access.  If you don't have access to a garage, grab some old or beat up sneakers (they don't have to be dance sneakers, any kind will do as long as they are sturdy enough to protect your feet) and do your moves outside on pavement.  You will feel more resistance than usual, and you may not be able to execute all of your steps perfectly, but working on the basics will be enough to keep you in shape until the next season of classes starts.

If you are heading out on vacation, see if you can pack a few basic fitness items.  A Theraband takes up very little space in a suitcase, and it can be used to stretch and exercise the feet and ankles.  Tennis balls can be used to stretch and massage the feet and other parts of the body.  If you are intermediate or advanced and want to practice pointe on the road, throw a pair of pointe shoes (old ones so you won't miss them if your bag goes missing) and toe pads in your bag.  Most hotels have desks and bathroom countertops that can be used as a barre.  A towel can make a passable yoga mat if you want to do a little yoga or ab-work.  

If your trip involves a lot of sightseeing, walking, swimming, or other activity, you don't need to do any more specific cardio (DO make sure you stay hydrated during your activities, just like you would during a long dance class).  When you can, stretch, work your abdominal muscles, and practice little bits of dance technique.  Even if the only time you have is while brushing your teeth, you can still get in a few piles and releves.  

If you are visiting family or spending several days in a city, look into taking a class or two at a studio in the area.  Most studios offer individual class rates (some with the first class free), and you can really benefit from learning from a new teacher.  If you choose to do this, try to make arrangements before you travel.  Be aware of dress code requirements, and pack appropriate dancewear and shoes.

Whatever your summer plans may hold, remember to move your dance muscles, even if only a little.  It's the greatest gift you can give yourself in order to have a successful season.