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It is easier to say when a
child should not begin pointe work than to give a definite
age limit, or lay down the length of training to precede it. Children of
the same age group vary enormously in weight and strength; aptitude and
facility cannot be standardized and, as every teacher knows, these must
largely govern the timing for starting pointe work. The most important
requisite for pointe work is good coordination of the whole body, each
part adapting correctly and without strain to any new position without
losing the "placement" which should have been established by barre and
centre training.
FIRST. Is the child's posture
correct? Can she stand and move without losing this posture?
SECONDLY, strength. Can all
exercises on the demi-pointe be performed with the supporting knee absolutely
straight? In not, back, hip, abdominal and especially thigh muscles are
not yet strong enough, so that thighs can be well pulled up and weight
lifted off the feet. There is then great risk of damage to the feet and
possibly to the
knee joints and even the spine.
THIRDLY, feet. (a) Are
the feet absolutely free from any tendency to sickle in or out?
In not, the ankle joints in
particular will be subjected to strain.
(b) Is the ankle joint sufficiently
flexible to form with the forefoot a right-angle when on the demi-pointe?(c)
Are the toes being correctly used inside soft shoes, i.e., without anyclutching
or curling?
Is it an unfortunate fact that
too early pointe work exists today. In serious schools ofballet it is regarded
as of no importance and arises from the years of training quite naturally
and at the proper time. It cannot be stressed too often, therefore, that
it isthe teacher,
and the the teacher only, who can decide when
that moment arrives.Parents should be made to understand that it is always
fraught with some element of risk. |