| How do you know when a young dancer is ready for | | | | It goes without saying, no-one can do it flawlessly |
| ballet pointe instruction? You need flexibility, strength | | | | from the start, and you can injure yourself trying. It |
| and good turnout. Here you will learn about turnout | | | | takes a lot of practice to gain the necessary flexibility |
| and develop some good stretching exercises. | | | | in your hip flexor muscles. The shape of your hip |
| Perfect turnout means you can stand with your heels | | | | bones, including the way the top of your leg-the |
| touching and your toes pointing in exact opposite | | | | femoral neck-fits into your hip socket, will result in |
| directions-also known as First Position. Even if you | | | | the success you achieve. There is also a tough |
| didn't practice holding yourself in First Position when | | | | ligament where these two bones connect called the |
| you began ballet instruction, start doing it now, | | | | iliofemoral ligament. On each side of your body you |
| because it gives you the flexibility and muscle control | | | | have one of these ligaments and with specific |
| that you need for many of ballet's most important | | | | exercises, your teacher can show you how to |
| positions, leaps, and turns. | | | | improve their elasticity. |