Pointe Work Training: “Barre Arrest”

Doing work “en pointe” (on toe shoes, more commonly called by the general populace) is something that should never be entered into lightly or carelessly. It must be the final decision of a qualified instructor to give the green light for this. I’ve personally seen (and still do) far too many students, especially young ones, come to my studio from elsewhere, that have been put en pointe before they are ready. The risk is inherent to the art, as are the rewards.

“Barre arrest” is a concept I developed many years ago. It was designed to help students prepare themselves for pointe work quickly, and with a greater degree of safety. It simply means that, during the time under barre arrest, the student is not allowed to perform any dance movements or exercises “sur le pointe” (on full pointe) away from the barre. There are different levels of barre arrest. Each is carefully chosen for each student individually at the proper time.

Barre arrest level ONE: the student is only allowed to perform anything “en pointe” holding the barre with both hands, with both feet on the ground, and only with direct supervision of a teacher accredited to teach pointe work. They are not allowed to do any practice at home.

Barre arrest level TWO: the student is allowed to practice at home, and without direct supervision. A certain amount of faith and trust is required here, but I very much hope this important part of the teacher/student relationship has already been established and clarified well before this point. The student is only to practice certain steps as specifically prescribed by the teacher, some on two feet, some on one.

Barre arrest level THREE: some steps will be allowed center floor, some across the floor. This will be varying degrees, depending upon the individual student’s progress. Even when the student is taken off barre arrest, there may still be particular types of steps and movements that the teacher will not allow until a safer foundation is produced.

The concept of “The Gap” needs definition here. There are certain muscles groups that are primarily used only when en pointe. These are the very same muscle groups that a beginning pointe student must learn to use. This is the gap, the area where the training will take time. Conventional and traditional ways in the art of teaching ballet dictate that the student must simply have the patience to get good enough and strong enough to use these muscles, but before actually getting the shoes to go up. In today’s age of instant everything, even the most patient student will have a difficult time with this concept. Barre arrest will shorten this process, and without creating any extra risk to the student.

Practicing at home too much and too early is not helpful to the long range process. It could easily prove harmful to the student, both physically and emotionally. Absolute patience and faith in the teacher is required. The excitement is very much there, and quite natural. An eager student will want to get those shoes on every day, and practice for hours immediately. They may also want to attempt execution of advanced steps they are not yet capable of doing properly. This will not be any help to them a few years in the future. The feet and legs must be carefully conditioned to accept the stress and strain put upon them. This must be a gradual process, unfortunately there is not a “crash course” to doing it correctly and safely. The student must be made aware that they will get there just as quickly– and more safely– if they take their time.

Dancing en pointe is more than simply training the feet to do what they need. The entire body must make the adjustments. The balance points are different, as is the posture and body alignment. Everything must be re-learned and fine tuned to achieve correct pointe work.

Copyright HSDA 1992