| Most adult ballet beginners I talk to are motivated | | | | retire position requires a kitchen counter or chair |
| to add home practice to their dance class | | | | back for use as a barre. |
| schedule. If you want to progress to pointe work, | | | | Checking for a correct ballet position to practice |
| you can save time and money by learning | | | | in, is best done with your ballet teacher. However, |
| exercises targeted to prepare the foot muscles | | | | if you have a full length mirror, you can also |
| for pointe. An added bonus to this focus is, that | | | | check at home, once you understand what is |
| the same exercises enhance your balance and all | | | | right for spinal posture, pelvic position, and leg |
| your ballet footwork. | | | | positions. |
| Exercises involving just the intrinsic (in the foot | | | | Plan on adding ten to fifteen minutes a day for |
| only) foot muscles do not require a ballet barre | | | | foot exercises to progress toward pointe work. |
| (or bar), a mirror, ballet wear, dance music, or | | | | While your feet get stronger, you will find a |
| any kind of workout equipment. | | | | better push off in all your releves and jumps. |
| Furthermore, once you have learned these | | | | Landing through the foot will become easier as |
| exercises properly, you can do them while you | | | | well. |
| watch television, read, or engage in casual | | | | Some adult ballet beginners may never get to |
| conversation. | | | | dance ballet in pointe shoes because of previous |
| Adding an exercise to determine and then | | | | dance injuries, extremely inflexible ankle joints, or |
| improve your turnout requires enough floor space | | | | another reason. Yet, adding specific foot exercises |
| for the length of your body, and a small cushion | | | | to your routines will definitely help you progress |
| or folded towel if you are very thin. | | | | toward pointe work and better foot work in |
| Practicing press ups on one leg in a cou de pied or | | | | general. |