written by balletboy  on 17.05. at 04:01:15

You have to really take classes from a number of dance teachers.  My first dance teacher was very well versed in ballet and all forms of dance, but she insisted that my butt muscles should always be clenched and that my knees should never be locked.  She used to give me a quarter to place between the butt muscles during class, and if it fell to the ground, that was a mortal sin and I needed more practice.

I learned finally learned that the butt muscles should be clenched at the right time, and released at others, and that the loose knees actually needed to be locked at some times (I still have problems releasing the knee during turns, thanks to Norma).

I've been lucky to be able to afford private classes from some of the great ballet teachers, and have learned quite a bit about ballet technique.

BUT, the greatest lesson I have learned is that teachers have different biases.  You need to be able to take the best and leave what does not work for you.  Teachers are not God.

I'm not an expert on pointe work....I only lasted about three months of pointe classes before I said it wasn't right for me, a guy.  But I think I can say pointe work needs a lot of strength and a really solid ballet technique.  If I, as a really strong male, was not up to pointe work, girls should also have the same concerns and not rush to pointe work until they feel ready to undertake it.

I hope you understand my message.  I have had training in many different subjects relative to my career outside of ballet.  Teachers are important (and I have had some great teachers, in ballet and in other, different subjects), but you need to know what works for you.

balletboy

>Hi there! I see that it is so many here who says that you need much hard work for go on en pointe. I Agree, but my balletteacher (who I always have trusted at) says that I can beginn to dance with pointeshoes, also: pointe. Of course, I would, but I have a little problem...I have only danced ballet in 6 months!!!>Well, I have danced jazzballet in one year, two lessons in the week, but...I can't be strong enoght (ooops, wrong written) can't I??? My teacher knows very much about ballet, she has be a teacher in 30 years now, and before that she was professional, she is everything a balleteacher shall be. But when I see that she puts pointeshoes on 9 year old girl, I don't know what I shall belive. But, it is also many girls in my class who has danced in many, many years, many times during the week, and they are 14, 15 and 16 years old, and they can't beginn pointe work yet, said my teacher. Please help me, what shall i do and belive about all this?