En pointe (pointe) is a form of ballet presented on the tips of the toes, made possible by specialized pointe shoes. There are different varieties of ballet en pointe, but for the most part they focus on grace and specific technique. Both men and women are capable of learning to dance en pointe, but it is commonly done only by women.

There are different styles for pointe shoes, also commonly referred to as toe shoes or blocked shoes, and different dancers find that one style or another may fit better.

Dancers must have sufficient strength in the feet, ankle, leg, knee, and abdomen, as well as strong technical skills, before beginning pointe work. This work can take anywhere from six months to more than three years. Students usually must be at least twelve years of age before going en pointe. This is because bones and growth plates in the feet are not yet fully hardened and developed prior to this age, and they can be injured very badly by pointe work, even if the student is otherwise strong and skillful. Attempting to dance en pointe before the feet and toes are fully grown can cause career-ending damage that will prevent dancing en pointe for a lifetime.

Contents 1 History 2 Preparing for pointe 3 Preparing the Shoes 4 Pointe technique 5 Common injuries 5.1 Injury prevention 6 References 7 External links

[edit] History

In 1832, the ballerina Maria Taglioni danced the full length of the romantic ballet La Sylphide en pointe and, although she was not the first ballerina to raise en pointe (Amalia Brugnoli danced en pointe in 1823 ^[1]), she is credited as the developer of the modern pointe technique. Taglioni first rose en pointe with soft ballet slippers that had a reinforced toe area, although not nearly as stiff as modern pointe shoes. The area was reinforced by stitching around the front and sides of the slipper. Unlike today, the moments en pointe were very brief and consisted of mostly balanced poses and relevés. Although a development of romantic ballet and a central element of ballet dancing in general, other dance forms such as hip-hop dance, jazz dance, street dance, Irish step dance and tap dance also have short steps that are performed on the toes. In tap and Irish dance this is called a "toe stand."

In the 1920s and 1930s, Harriet Hoctor, a burlesque and vaudeville dancer, wore pointe shoes fitted with steel shanks and platforms to allow tapping en pointe and backwards bends whilst en pointe. Other dancers fitted ball bearings inside between the platform to allow for faster turns but the dangers of the steel shanks snapping meant that such practices quickly ceased.

[edit] Preparing for pointe

Young children interested in a career in ballet usually start dancing en pointe after they are over the age of eleven or if they are accepted in one of the ballet academies (acceptance age range varies), at the end of the first year of study or during their second year; therefore in some ballet academies girls may start to take pointe classes when they are as young as ten ^{[2] [3]}. The reason that girls do not start when they are younger is because the bones in their feet are still growing and can be permanently damaged; also their foot and leg muscles are not yet strong enough to support them. They should also be in an intermediate or advanced level of ballet, be able to hold their turnout from the hips while performing center combinations and hold a proper ballet position (straight back, good turnout, etc.). No one should start pointe before authorized to by a teacher under any circumstances. In the more serious dance academies, where girls tend to start pointe work at an earlier age, a physician's advice is required to make sure the dancers' feet have ossified sufficiently; serious foot deformities can result from starting pointe too early. Moreover, in ballet academies, children take several ballet classes per week and are closely supervised by their teachers for any weaknesses. Injuries, such as breaking the ankle, can occur because of young, weak, and untrained bones and muscles. Pedicures are not a good idea for pointe dancers and pointe dancers must always make sure that they cut their toenails at least one day before dance class or concerts to let the toes adjust to the new length of the nails. Layers and layers of dead skin, calluses, etc. on the feet are helpful, like insulation against the strain of the shoe. Things like blisters, boils, athlete's foot, cuts of the feet, and even bleeding are to be expected.

Dancing en pointe requires one to use the entire body for support, including the legs, back, and abdominal muscles^[4].

Once a dancer is ready, preparation for pointe work is a gradual process. At first, it is just strengthening exercises at the barre - for example, simply rising en pointe and returning. According to the teacher's preferences and syllabus, the dancers might first be taught to "roll-through" from flat to demi pointe to pointe and down again (unless the Russian or Italian method is being taught, in which the dancer springs directly from flat onto pointe). Another example is learning how to properly wing out the foot and point the foot as the dancer would do in technique shoes. Then variations in speed and position may be introduced -- for perhaps no more than five or ten minutes. It is often only after six months to a year of such exercises that the student can start dancing en pointe in the center.

The first exercises at the barre are usually relevés and échappés ^[5] done on both feet. Only once the student is fully comfortable in executing the steps on both feet (and the tendons are strong enough), steps ending on one foot are introduced, such as pas de bourrée en pointes and retiré en pointes, first at the barre and later on in the centre. In centre practice, Mme Vaganova ^[6] suggests as first exercises on both feet relevés and échappés en pointe.

[edit] Preparing the Shoes

Pointe shoes are not like soft technique shoes; they consist of satin exteriors, with a shank -- or sole -- made of stiffened leather, canvas, and burlap sealed with glue. The box, or the reinforced toe area of the shoe, is made of stiffened and reinforced canvas, burlap and/or wood. They also have no right or left, and can be exceedingly uncomfortable when new.

Pointe shoes may be purchased through specialty stores and some schools. The source may provide the services of an experienced fitter or ballet teacher, because improper fit may cause serious injury. A fitter will typically have the dancer try on a variety of shoes, based on the syllabus (softer shanks for French technique and stiffer ones for Russian technique) and the size, length, width, arch, and other measurements of the foot.

Dancers sew on ribbons and elastics themselves, for a customized fit. A dancer who is new to pointe work may line the toes of the pointe shoes with cotton wool to slow the formation of blisters and to cushion the toes.

Because new pointe shoes are frequently uncomfortable, most experienced dancers soften a new pair of pointe shoes before dancing in them. Preparation usually consists in making the hard shank more supple, so that the shoes can actually bend in half pointe; sometimes sensitive spots on the box can be softened to offer less friction against the feet. Other dancers don't break the shoes in at all; others take extreme measures to make them soft enough. They can also use cyanoacrylate glue, which stiffens the shoes and makes them last a little longer. A variety of padding, such as toepads or lamb's wool, may be used to protect the skin from the roughness of the shoe as well as to provide a small amount of relief from the pressure of supporting the body's weight on a few toes.

Many dancers use a gel medical dressing and moleskin to help relieve the pain produced by the blisters they develop from their pointe shoes.

[edit] Pointe technique

There are several methods that dancers use to rise on the toes. In one method (French school, RAD syllabus), the dancer rises on her/his toes by passing through half-pointe or demi-pointe; in the second method, the dancer springs onto her toes with a small hop (Russian and Italian schools)^[7]. In the latter case, less stress is put on the calf muscles. More experienced dancers use a combination of the two techniques, usually rolling through for adages, and springing on pointe in allegros combinations. The two techniques arose early in the history of pointe technique, as the Italian cobblers designed harder toe boxes for the Italian ballerinas (for instance Pierina Legnani - the first ballerina to regularly perform the 32 fouettés of Swan Lake); this allowed them to execute more difficult steps and stand on their toes for longer. To imitate the feats of the Italian dancers, Russian ballerinas introduced even stiffer soles to support them during these difficult steps^[8]. As it was nearly impossible to pass through half-pointe in these hard shoes, the small hop was introduced (also compare modern day French shoes with Russian ones: the latter have a very stiff shank). The effort exerted to remain en pointe must be shared by the whole body, not only the legs; the abdominal muscles must be engaged and the back should be kept straight, while the neck muscles should be relaxed. There are also different styles of dancing en pointe. In the classical style, the dancer stands on the tips of their toes; in the neoclassical style, the feet are overarched so that the dancer is literally dancing on their toenails.

In dancing en pointe, the pointe dancer will warm up by doing exercises at the barre and in the center before performing routines or combinations en pointe. These exercises can include slower relevés, échappés and arabesque. When ready, the dancer will do his/her combinations in center. This will usually be led by an instructor who will be stressing proper turnout, pointing of the toes when raised, and proper use of ballet technique while en pointe. In preparation for productions, the pointe dancer learn and practice a dance with a choreographer and instructor. In smaller dance schools, such as local ones, the roles of choreographer and instructor are combined. The choreographer will add movements and pieces to the dance during preliminary practices, and will oversee intermediate and final ones to insure the dancers are performing the moves properly to their vision. The instructor will teach the dance to the dancer, as well as insure proper technique is used. They will also aid the dancer in learning in costume and with partners, if needed.

[edit] Common injuries

Dancing en pointe can place stress on the dancer's feet. Common injuries related to dancing en pointe are:

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Achilles tendinitis 

The tendons at the back of the ankles can sometimes be strained and in bad cases even snap.

Athlete's foot 

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection which grows in a dark, moist environment such as that of a perspiring foot in tight, closed shoes. It is also contagious. It can be prevented by washing the feet once a day and if contracted, can be cured by over-the-counter remedies or a prescribed anti-fungal.

Blisters 

Blisters are caused by repeated rubbing of skin against the rough, hardened inside of the shoe's box. Shoes that are poorly fit can cause blisters, as can the breaking in process. Blisters can form within thirty minutes of dancing. Blisters should be dealt with before they burst or become infected. Blisters can be prevented or lessened by carefully wrapping the dancer's toes with medical tape, or using some type of thin padding.

Bunions 

a joint deformity usually in the dancer's big toe, caused by cramping of the toes within the shoe's box. Dancers can prevent bunions by putting a spacer between the big toe and the next toe and wearing properly fitted shoes.

Bunionette 

a joint deformity usually in the dancers little toe.

Bursitis 

Bursitis is the inflammation of one or more bursae (small sacs) of synovial fluid in the body. The bursae rest at the points where internal functionaries, such as muscles and tendons, slide across bone. Healthy bursae create a smooth, almost frictionless functional gliding surface making normal movement painless. When bursitis occurs, however, movement relying upon the inflamed bursa becomes difficult and painful. Moreover, movement of tendons and muscles over the inflamed bursa aggravates its inflammation, perpetuating the problem.

Bruises 

bruising is common, especially if no padding is used, on the tip of the toe.

Bruised toenails 

caused by heavy pressure on the front of the nail when the nail is not cut short. This can be very painful and may cause the dancer to burn a hole in the nail to relieve some of the pressure.

Calluses 

Calluses are thickened areas of skin which form on the bottom and sides of the feet. While a small amount may be helpful, too much callusing can indicate poor posture or poorly fitted shoes. Especially thick callus may crack or bleed and can be painful, causing a burning sensation. Calluses can be kept under control by soaking the feet in warm water and mild soap for 10 - 15 minutes. Excess callus can then be filed off gently, not removing the whole.

Contusion 

A bruise, also called a contusion

Corns 

Corns result from incorrectly fitted shoes and form in places that do not bear weight.

Cuts between the toes 

Cuts can occur between toes as a result of the pressure of a dancer's toenails digging into the toes next to them. However, with proper trimming, filing and fitting, this can usually be prevented.

Dancer's heel (Plantar fasciitis) 

When the tendon on the instep of the foot tightens, causing the instep and heel to hurt very badly.

Dermatitis 

Dermatitis is caused by allergens or stress, resulting in skin irritation which manifests in itching, burning, or reddened areas. Contact dermatitis is caused by skin contact with an allergen; neurodermatitis is related to stress.

Dorsal exostosis

Extensor tendinitis

Fungus nails

Hallux limitus and rigidus

Hammer toes 

when the toes bend up permanently at the middle joint.

Heel bruises

Heel spurs

Ingrown toenails

Jammed big toes

Neuromas

Plantar warts

Sesamoiditis

Sprained ankles

Stress fractures

Thickened toenails

[edit] Injury prevention

Because pointe work can cause friction between the toes and the hard box of the pointe shoe, dancers use several methods to prevent chafing and blisters. Dancers often use lamb's wool or "toe pads" made out of soft material or gel. Folded paper toweling is also a popular padding material. Wads of lamb's wool may also be used just in certain areas where a dancer feels the most pain. Any type of padding can be used excessively, but using it in excess impairs the ability to "feel the floor." Many dancers also use sports tape to tape around their toes in order to further prevent blisters and bruised toenails. Also, keeping the toenails clipped as short as possible (without bleeding) is useful in preventing bruised toenails. Some pointe dancers, however, are able to wear their pointe shoes without any padding. Injury can also be prevented by starting pointe work only when physically ready, as assessed by a qualified ballet teacher.

[edit] References

1. ^ Balletto.net - articolo: La tecnica delle punte: da virtuosismo a mezzo di espressione (Parte II)
2. ^ Scuola di Ballo del Teatro alla Scala: Testo programmatico per lo studio della danza classica - Teatro alla Scala, A. M. Prina
3. ^ Royal Swedish Ballet School as reported in "The pointe book"
4. ^ Fit feet - ballet dancers and pointe work Dance Magazine Sept 1997 Marian Horosko
5. ^ Testo programmatico per lo studio della danza classica - Teatro alla Scala, A. M. Prina
6. ^ Vaganova, A. Basic principles of classical ballet
7. ^ Theory and Practice of Classical Theatrical Dancing, C. Beaumont, S. Idzikowski
8. ^ Interview with Dr. Dianne Howe - Anaheim Ballet video podcast

[edit] External links

• Dance en pointe

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