Shifting Standards and Evolving Practices
Becoming a ballerina involves years of training. One of the key milestones is when dancers first go en pointe. Most dancers begin around ages 11 to 13, but the exact timing can vary.
Why 13?
Age 13 is often the minimum for pointe work. At this age, a dancer’s body has developed enough strength and flexibility. This reduces the risk of injury and supports proper technique.
The Role of Pointe Shoes
Pointe shoes support dancers by distributing weight and aiding balance. They are designed to help dancers maintain control and stability while performing on their toes. Proper fitting is essential for safety and comfort.
Is There a Perfect Age?
While 13 is the typical age, every dancer’s path is different. Some may start earlier or later. The focus should always be on strength, technique, and flexibility to prevent injury.
Dance educators and medical professionals have emphasized the importance of allowing the musculoskeletal system to reach a sufficient level of maturity before introducing the intricate demands of pointework.
This cautious approach aimed to preserve the physical health of young dancers and ensure a solid foundation for a lasting and successful ballet career.
As ballet evolved over the decades, this standard remained steadfast.
However, as times change, so do perspectives on training methods, and the dance world is re-evaluating the age-old notion that 13 should be the minimum age to dance en pointe.
And Now?
Today, we believe the position should still hold.
Children have not stopped growing at an earlier age just because we moved into the 21st Century. The body continues to develop well into our teens. As we are growing, it is very easy to deform our bodies but putting excess strain on parts of the body. Remember, ballet does not bend the body in the ‘natural’ ways.
The standard age of 13 is a benchmark by which most people go. As with everything else, there are exceptions.
While some schools and teachers do allow young dancers to dance en pointe at a younger age, this would be done with caution and on a case-by-case basis. The teacher making this recommendation usually knows her student quite well and has established that the student, though younger, has the necessary strength.
Which is why The Ballet Shop will never provide you with pointe shoes unless you are under a teacher’s tuition and particularly if you are at a very young age. We have had to turn away a number of buyers asking to buy their pointe shoes, because they want to learn on their own.
If you or your daughter would like to learn pointe work, there are a number of reputable schools and you will need to undergo some years of tuition before your feet can take your body weight like that.
But if you’re already under guidance, have a look at some of our pointe shoes. For beginners we recommend the Sansha Recital, Partenaire or Lyrica, while more advanced students might want to consider the Ovation or Premiere, or even the Legende – all from Sansha. We also have our delightful silicone toe caps to protect your feet while dancing en pointe.
We look forward to working with your pointe shoe needs – with care.
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