Hey dancers! 🌟 Are you excited about the possibility of dancing en pointe? Before you leap into those pointe shoes, it’s essential to make sure you’re ready! That’s where a pre-pointe assessment comes in. Let’s dive into what it is and how it can set you up for success.
What is a Pre-Pointe Assessment?
Think of a pre-pointe assessment as your personal dance check-up. It evaluates your readiness to
dance on pointe, which means dancing right up on your toes! But don’t worry—it’s not a pass or fail test like a ballet exam. Instead, it’s a way to ensure you’re set up for success and to reduce the risk of injuries. Knowledge is power, and understanding your strengths and areas for improvement will make your transition to pointe much smoother.
What to Expect
Your pre-pointe assessment will take about 45 minutes with a trained physiotherapist who knows all about classical ballet. Our experts, Claire and Isabel, have extensive knowledge of dance and common injuries, so you’re in good hands!
The session starts with a friendly chat where you’ll share your age, training history, any past injuries, and your dance goals.
What We’ll Look At
During the assessment, we’ll thoroughly check the movement of all your lower limb joints, focusing on your ankles and big toes. We’ll assess the length and strength of your muscles, including your calf and foot muscles, as well as your core and pelvic control.
A key component of dancing en pointe is a position called turnout, and we’ll evaluate that too. Then, we will look at some ballet-specific movements like plié, tendu, rises, jumps, and arabesque. This helps us see how your body moves in dance.
How We Can Help Your Dancing
After your assessment, we’ll create a customized exercise program tailored to your needs. This program will focus on strengthening your lower limbs, improving your core, and enhancing foot alignment and calf endurance. Aim to complete these exercises 2-3 times a week. We’ll also schedule a follow-up in 3-6 weeks to track your progress and make any necessary adjustments.
When Can You Start Pointe Work?
Most experts recommend waiting until you’re at least 12 years old to start dancing en pointe, as your body needs to be ready for the extra demands. Your skeleton isn’t developed until this age. However, you can begin your pre-pointe assessment around 11 years old to start building strength in preparation for that exciting milestone.
Did you know that even top-level ballet dancers, like those in the Australian Ballet, follow rigorous strengthening routines? They often include exercises like single-leg calf endurance rises with over 35 reps and stair running!
Top Tips for Your Pre-Pointe Assessment
Book early: Schedule your assessment from age 11 or 2-3 months before your pointe classes start.
Dress for success: Wear a leotard, tights, or tight-fitting activewear for the assessment.
Keep it up: Continue with your exercise program even after you start dancing en pointe to maintain the strength and positions you need.
Getting ready for pointe is an exciting journey, and a pre-pointe assessment is the first step! Let’s set you up for success and keep your dancing injury-free
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