The Perfect Pointe Book

All The Tips, Tricks And Exercises You Need To Know About Starting En Pointe

How Do I Get Into The Splits?

Dancers all over the world are constantly asking questions such as… “How do I get into the splits” “What are the best ways to stretch” and “How can I get more flexible”.

There are so many myths in the dance world (as well as in Martial Arts, Gymnastics and any other sport that desires flexibility) about how to get more flexible, however many of these can actually be very dangerous.

Pushing into stretches, over stretching, PNF Stretching, Ballistic stretching and Partner Stretching all carry risks of tearing muscles and damaging ligaments. There is even the possibility of an avulsion fracture – where a piece of bone is pulled off during a forced stretch.

Therapists such as Osteopaths, Chiropractors and Physiotherapists, as well as massage therapists and Myofascial therapists use many different techniques to enhance mobility and flexibility that have very little to do with stretching the muscle. Learning subtle ways of releasing certain trigger points yourself can have profound and dramatic results, without the risk of hurting yourself!

The Front Splits Fast Flexibility Program is a comprehensive program that takes these amazing techniques out of the clinic and into your hands. The program teaches you how to use three different approaches to rapidly increase your flexibility in a very short space of time.

1) The Mind Body Connection – If you can influence the constant message from your brain that is telling your muscle to contract, then you can achieve far greater mobility than by trying to physically stretch that muscle longer.

2) Neural Mobility – The nervous system is a continuous web of connective tissue that extends from your brain to the tips of your fingers and toes. If there are any mechanical blockages along its path, then the mobility in any part of your body can be affected.

3) Fascial Mobility – Many therapist such as Thomas Myers and Ida Rolf have explored the concept of the coverings of our muscles (Fascia) transmitting tension through many other parts of the body. There are several important catchment points that can make an extraordinary difference to your levels of mobility and general feeling of freedom.

The Front Splits Fast Program teaches you how to “treat” yourself, and discover your true ranges of mobility. Forget the hours of stretching, only to wake up the next day tighter than the day before.

Discover how easy it is to feel free in your own body, and perform to your ultimate potential today!

Get Your Copy Today! Visit http://www.FrontSplitsFast.com

Dear Lisa,

I purchased The Perfect Pointe Book and wanted to thank you for the foot exercises and all the tips and answers to questions in the Ballet Blog.  I also like the videos!!  You have been so much help to me and my feet.

Thanks, Tessa

Dear Lisa

Thank you so much for the wonderful workshops. I really loved them! I truly think they helped so much and they really made me think in a different way. I will try very hard to do the exercises and follow the book. Thanks again!

From Lena W

I wish I had had this book when I first started!


Hi Lisa
 
Going great with the course….have been doing the exercises for about 3 weeks now and really notice a difference. I feel so much stronger en pointe and my feet are getting more flexible. I haven’t got the best arches ever so have always felt I had “bad feet”. Not only have I got a better pointe but I am now actually pointing my feet correctly! I have always pointed from my toes as I have a low arch, but now I am really working on lengthening the toes and using the right muscles – its hard to correct a habit of a lifetime, but I’m working on it! I do experience a lot of pain in my achilles, especially going onto demi-pointe, but I assume this is from not lengthening my toes when pointing…
 
Its really great to know exactly what is going on and the correct muscles you should be working. I wish I had had this book when I first started!
 
Thanks for everything 🙂
 
Denise

How To Break In Your Pointe Shoes

http://www.theballetblog.com

I am often asked how to break in pointe shoes. Many girls are a little scared to do it as they are afraid of breaking the shoe and then having to go out and buy a new pair! This video will show you that there is really nothing to be worried about. It will help you to break in your shoes effectively!

Exercises For Pointe Work – Clams And Piriformis Stretches

http://www.theballetblog.com

Tendu

A short video to show you a fantastic way of strengthening and lengthening your turout muscles!

click here to view the video

How To Fit Pointe Shoes

http://www.theballetblog.com/

Ever wondered why some girls look like their shoes were made for them? It is all in knowing what to look for whern you fit your shoes. Follow this video to get a great pair next time!
click here to view the video

The FREE Parents Manual is up!

http://www.theballetblog.com

http://www.theperfectpointebook.com/T…

It’s up! Finally the FREE Parents guide to help your parents help you as much as they can with becoming the best dancer you can be is up and available for you to download! Simply go to the link, and follow the instructions!

click here to view the video

My Brand New Site

Hi Guys!

After a year of trying to juggle all kinds of sites and pages all over the internet, I have finally managed to get all of the fantastic free information I provide together in one spot!

My brand new site www.theballetblog.com is up and operating, and is packed with information so I will not be posting on this site any more.

To celebrate, and as my Christmas present to the world I have released a FREE Downloadable Parents Manual packed with information of how parents can best support their child when they are passionate about dancing.

To let you know how well it has gone down with those who have already seen it, here is what one mother I gave it to had to say about it…

“As a non-dancing mother of two young dancers I have entered the world of dance and feel completely unprepared. Thankfully the ‘Parents Manual’ has rescued me! So many questions in my head have been answered and I have my Manual handy to refer to over and over again. My girls love to dance and I love them…and now I feel more confident to support them in becoming wonderful healthy dancers.” (K.C)

So go over to the new site now and check it all out!

Talk soon,
Lisa

A Brand New Newsletter!

http://www.theballetblog.com

I decided that it was time to give all of our hard working teachers a special newsletter all of their own, to help answer some of the great questions I get through e-mail.

Rises And Prances En Pointe

Pointe Through The Demi Pointe

Clawing the toes is very common amongst dancers. Unfortunately clawing the toes can cause many different problems so it is important to strengthen the small foot intrinsic muscles in order to keep the toes long.

click here to view video

Rises With Transfer

http://www.theballetblog.com/

Rises With Transfer Rises in first position with a transfer of weight is a fantastic way to strengthen and train the extrinsic muscles of the lower leg and foot. This video demonstrates how to perform this exercise correctly.

Click here to view video

Pointe Through The Demi Pointe

http://www.theballetblog.com

Pointe Through The Demi Pointe

Clawing the toes is very common amongst dancers. Unfortunately clawing the toes can cause many different problems so it is important to strengthen the small foot intrinsic muscles in order to keep the toes long.
click here to view video

Tendu

http://www.theballetblog.com

Tendu

The Tendu is one of the fundamental steps of classical dance. Performing Tendu can be a fantastic exercise for strengthening the feet and lower legs so I have created this little video to help you perfect your Tendu.

click here to view video

Clams and Piriformis Stretch

http://www.theballetblog.com

Tendu

This video demonstrates the correct way to perform Clams and Piriformis Stretches. Unfortunately Clams are frequently taught incorrectly so I have created this video to show you the correct way to perform this exercise.

click here to view video

What is the best age to start en pointe?

http://theballetblog.com/

Tendu So many people ask me this question that I thought it was more than time I did a video explaining when the best time is.

click here to view video

Tips On How To Prevent Blisters

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I have had so many people asking about how to prevent blisters so I thought I would make a video to show you three of the major causes and how to prevent blisters from occurring.

click here to view video

How To Tell When Your Pointe Shoes Are Dead

http://theballetblog.com

I have so many girls asking me how to know when their pointe shoes are ‘dead’ so I have created this video to help you know when your your pointe shoes are past their used by date!

click here to view video

Padding For Pointe Shoes

http://theballetblog.com

Lots of girls have been asking me how much padding they should use, and what to use, so I made a little video to show you what I recommend! Usually your teacher will have lots of tricks to help you out so ask her her what she recommends.
click here to view video

How To Tie The Ribbons On Your Pointe Shoes

http://theballetblog.com/

I have had lots of people asking me how to correctly tie the ribbons on their pointe shoes, so I have created this video to show you one of the many ways the ribbons can be tied. Give it a try and let me know what you think!
click here to view video

How To Fit Pointe Shoes

http://theballetblog.com

Ever wondered why some girls look like their shoes were made for them? It is all in knowing what to look for whern you fit your shoes. Follow this video to get a great pair next time!
click here to view video

How To Sew The Ribbons Onto Your Pointe Shoes

http://theballetblog.com/

One of the most common questions I get asked is: “How do I sew the ribbons onto my pointe shoes?”. This video is a quick guide to get your ribbons in the perfect spot every time!
click here to view video


Breaking In Pointe Shoes

http://theballetblog.com

I frequently see badly broken in shoes so I thought I would create this video to show you the way I like to break in pointe shoes. I have found this method to be extremely successful and you will find it also prolongs the life of the shoe!
click here to view video

Pointe

http://theballetblog.com/

Many girls have all kinds of elastic contraptions to hold the heel of the shoe on…
read more

Turnout

http://theballetblog.com/

How To Improve Your Turnout Range!
How to improve your turnout range!
I get so many questions on how to improve dancers’ turnout, that I thought that a post on the topic was well overdue. The thing to remember is that your turnout is dictated by a few different things…
read more…

Technique

http://theballetblog.com/

How to get your legs higher with a developpé!

How to get your legs higher with a developpe!
So many girls have good flexibility when stretching, but find it hard to use this when dancing, especially with a developpé. If you simply practise the step over and over, often the result is bulky thighs, with not a lot of increase in range. This will happen if you are trying to use the front of the leg to lift, rather than controlling the leg from the hip…
read more…

Flexibility

http://theballetblog.com

Quadratus Lumborum Stretch

Quadratus Lumborum Stretch
I was having trouble explaining this to someone in an email, so thought I would post a picture for you all to veiw. This is a great stretch for opening out the lower back if your have been dancing a lot. Take it gently, breathe into the stretch, and remember that it should not be painful!!!

read more…

Specific Injuries

http://theballetblog.com/

How Ballet Dancers
Can Avoid Common Foot Injuries

How Ballet Dancers Can Avoid Common Foot Injuries
Most dancers will complain of some foot injury at some stage in their training, and professional ballet dancers will often be plagued with chronic foot injuries, ranging from mild ones that are nursed for years, to severe injuries that may be career ending…
read more…

Performance

http://theballetblog.com

The Value Of Online Community
In Dance Education

The Value Of Online Community In Dance Education
There is a huge need for comprehensive quality dance information to educate young dancers about their bodies, to extend their boundaries and their perception of what they are capable of, and learn about the prevention and treatment of injuries. Far too often in the dance community, the old adage of, “if it hurts, it is good for you” is far too prevalent, and despite the many wonderful teachers who embrace safe dance techniques, many young dancers are getting serious injuries at very young ages…
read more…


Perfect Pointe Secrets Podcast

http://theballetblog.com

Well… Here goes! My first ever attempt at a podcast… Give it a try!

Perfect Pointe Secrets Podcast 1

How do I get more Flexible!!!!

http://theballetblog.com

I get heaps of girls asking how to get more flexible, especially down into the splits, and yes, there are lots of tricks! I am actually working on a very special program at the moment that will change the way you think about flexibility, and will be a great help for anyone who stretches and stretches and never seems to get anywhere! Keep an eye on the blog for more updates, and if you are signed up to the FREE Dancers newsletter you will get updates as soon as they happen!

Breaking In Pointe Shoes!

http://theballetblog.com

So many people ask me how to correctly break in pointe shoes, that I thought I would pop a video up on youtube for you all to take a look at. Let me know what you think!

Take care,

Lisa

The Perfect Book Is Ready To Go!!!

http://theballetblog.com

After months of toiling behind a computer, my brand new book, “The Perfect Pointe Book” is all ready for sale! I am so excited to be able to share this with you, and look forward to answering all the questions you have about pointe work and ballet in general. I am a physiotherapist (physical therapist) and I work with dancers constantly, helping them recover from injury and maximising performance when they are well. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did making it!

Check it out at

http://www.theperfectpointebook.com

Take care,

Lisa

Hi Guys!

Welcome to my WordPress blog! I decided to try a different format as the other was just a little messy!

I am pretty new at all this so bear with me as I get the hang of it okay?!

Lisa