POINTE LEVELS AND FAQ

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PRE-POINTE

This class is designed for students wanting to improve their flexibility and stability in their toes, ankles and knees. You will perform a range of conditioning exercises followed by a centre class with drills designed to build your strength and alignment. It's not just for pointe students!


This class has been designed by Anouska over many years of training dancers for pointe work and attending courses with the renowned dance therapist and author of The Perfect Pointe System, Lisa Howell.


Students wishing to gain their pointe shoes need to be attending this class regularly. Once your teacher has seen significant improvement across all exercises in your demi-pointe and pointe ranges as well as stamina and alignment, you will be recommended for a pointe assessment with a physiotherapist. This is the final tick of approval to dancing en pointe!

ELEMENTARY

This class is designed for students proficient in the basics of pointe work. You will start with some conditioning and then warm-up at barre before moving towards much more centre work than seen at the Beginner level. Students are progressing towards one-to-one-releves at the barre as well as poses, releves and echappe combinations and pirouettes in the centre.

ADVANCED

This class is designed for students who are proficient pointe dancers with complex combinations and steps. Students who used to do pointe at an advanced level should still join Beginner or Elementary pointe first after a break of two or more years to build their strength back up.

BEGINNER

This class is designed for students starting pointe for the first time. It begins with conditioning exercises followed by a class spent mostly at the barre. Throughout the year students will move through drill-type ballet exercises that progress you to getting off the barre and dancing with confidence en pointe.

OUR POINTE POLICY

At 6th Position, participation in our Pointe classes is subject to a successful physio assessment outcome.

There is no age limit to dancing en pointe, however, sound ballet technique, consistency and strength is very important. Your safety is our number one priority, and without appropriate training it can be damaging to your feet, ankles and knees.

Students will be advised if the teacher thinks they are ready to undertake the pointe assessment.

  • The amount of time will vary greatly depending on your individual strength, experience and any past injuries. For some dancers with a lot of experience, it may only take a few months, however for others it may take a few years.

    Your safety is most important and moving onto pointe too quickly can be dangerous. We recommend focussing on how you can improve your own strength and technique rather than comparing yourself against anyone else.

  • 6th Position reserves the right to advise discretion regarding the physio assessment for dancers who have recent experience dancing en pointe.

    Please email studio@6thposition.com.au with information regarding your experience, including any exams or assessments you have previously undertaken.

    You may be asked to attend an assessment if the teacher has concerns for your safety, or if there has been an extended break since you last danced en pointe.

  • We recommend joining the Beginner Pointe Class (Tuesdays 6pm) as well as the Dance Conditioning class (Sundays 10:30am). This class teaches you various techniques for strengthening and articulating your feet and ankles, as well as working on your alignment for all dancing.

    The Dance Conditioning class is open to all dancers regardless of their dance style.

    Additionally, we recommend taking at least two ballet classes per week to maintain your strength and technique.