Shifting Standards and Evolving Practices
In the world of ballet, the transition to dancing en pointe marks a significant milestone for aspiring dancers.
Traditionally, a steadfast rule held that those under the age of 13 should steer clear of pointe shoes, a precautionary measure rooted in concerns about bone development.
However, the landscape of dance education is ever-evolving, prompting us to ask whether this age-old standard remains intact or if the ballet world is redefining when young dancers can take their first steps on the tip of their toes. This is what we call en pointe.
Let’s explore why the dance world set up this minimum . And whether it is still valid.
Why 13?
The establishment of a minimum age for dancers to rise en pointe can be traced back to the meticulous concern for the physical well-being of aspiring ballerinas. Traditional ballet wisdom held that the skeletal system, particularly the bones of the feet and ankles, required a certain level of maturity before withstanding the demands of pointe work.
The reasoning behind this practice stems from the fact that pre-adolescent bodies are still undergoing critical phases of bone development. The growth plates in the feet, responsible for the lengthening and shaping of bones, are not fully fused at a younger age.
Subjecting these developing bones to the sustained pressure and weight-bearing nature of dancing on the tips of their toes (en pointe) could potentially pose risks, including stress fractures, misalignments, and other injuries. This could mean deformed feet – and painful ones!
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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