The Academy of Classical Ballet
Test Your Ballet Knowledge! Did you know that improper dance training can cause permanent physical damage? That what most ballet students are taught at the age of four, shouldn't be taught until the age of eight? It does matter where you child studies dance. Keep reading to learn more.
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The Truth About Training- ACB's Medically Sound Approach to Ballet Training
If your child is under the age of eight, and stands like this during their ballet classes, or even close (with their feet in a "v" shape) they are at high risk of knee, hip and ankle damage that can result in a lifetime of pain and physical problems.
The above positions, known as fourth and fifth position, should not be taught to girls until at least the age of twelve. Some exercises done in fourth position have current evidence pointing to the idea they should not be taught at all. These positions especially put strain on girl's developing hips, which can lead to hip problems, lower back pain, and even problems during pregnancy, when that child is grown. For reproductive reasons as well as the affected muscles and tendons that attach to the hips, doctors specializing in dance agree that girls should not be taught these positions until puberty or after.
The proper position for students before the age of eight is this:
The Academy of Classical Ballet, at a Glance:
For a brief introduction as to why proper training is important, click here. Common Questions Why does the Academy of Classical Ballet take such a different approach to dance training? Academy Director Ms. Evans was tired of hearing the adage that a dancer is always in pain, and sickened by the idea that teens and young adults had to just accept having physical pain and conditions usually only reserved for the elderly. She certainly didn't want this to be a reality for her dance students. So, while still a dancer herself, she began examining causes and solutions for dancer's unique injuries. She turned to respected physicians and medical practitioners in the field of dance and sports training, from orthopedic surgeons and podiatrists to physical therapists and dance therapists. What she learned is that many problems of dancers actually stem from their earliest dance training. Some of the most common problems are students using turn out ( the shape of the feet caused by lateral rotation of the legs from the hip socket) too soon, being given steps too advanced for their bodies, or too many classes as a whole. When Ms. Evans discovered that making simple yet revolutionary changes to the way ballet is currently taught could make a profound effect upon the health of dancers, she immediately began creating a curriculum to support this safer approach to the teaching of classical ballet. This curriculum is the backbone of all ballet classes taught at the Academy of Classical Ballet.
What does this understanding mean for ballet training? It means that we had to let go of how we were trained to teach ballet, and how we were trained ourselves. Realizing that just because that was how we were trained didn't make it right. And although our teachers had the best intentions, they simply didn't know what is now understood about ballet training- in short, that most of it is wrong and damaging, because it is taught too soon. Most things that are currently taught to four year old students, for example, shouldn't be taught until the age of eight or nine. Many dance schools are aware of the importance of developmentally appropriate instruction, but choose not to implement these teaching methods, as teaching in a developmentally appropriate way means one has to completely stop teaching in the traditionally accepted way. Many schools are ingrained in their teaching methods, and with all other dance schools instructing in the same manner, one individual dance school may not want to rock the boat. It's difficult to do the right thing, and it's even more difficult when the right thing seems to be so very different from what everyone else does. Nor is it easy to be the first person to do something new.
Other dance schools start their Beginning Ballet students at the age of six or seven. Why does your school not start until age eight? Not beginning formal ballet lessons too soon is crucial. All established and respected literature about the training of dance advises against beginning formal training before the age of eight, and with good reason. Younger students lack the emotional maturity, but more importantly, they lack the physical readiness and ability to execute ballet moves correctly. Incorrect movements can train bad habits, or worse risk stunting the proper growth and development of a growing body, in ways that often aren't apparent until years later.
If ballet training should not be begun until the age of eight, what do your students do before then? Formal training at ACB is understood to begin when a student learns to execute steps utilizing turn-out, which refers to the lateral rotation of the legs within the hip socket. Only certain body positions should be used with turn out at a young age, other positions cannot safely be begun until students are nearer their teenage years. Prior to age eight students should only participate in learning the fundamentals of ballet, focusing on play acting, musicality, ballet steps executed in parallel, mime and story telling- all essential elements of ballet. Older Pre-Ballet students learn more advanced elements including fine motor control, that will assist them greatly during their first year of formal training. These first stepping stones are invaluable in later training, and it is often quite obvious when a dancer has gone through our entire Pre-Ballet course, over a ballet student who has not.
Why is quality dance instruction important? No matter what your child's reasons for joining dance, or their professional aspirations, giving your child the best dance education possible is never a bad idea. There are many reasons that proper dance training is vital:
Poor training in the dance world is worse than no training at all. Poor training can ingrain bad habits, improper technique, and unsightly affectations that can take months or years to un-train, even by the most qualified instructor. Quality dance training, when continued for a number of years, gives the student confidence as well as the ability to dance correctly. Classically trained ballet dancers can go anywhere in the world and take class anywhere they choose, without ever having to worry, is my training good enough? They are on par and can hold their own in any class. Proper dance training can make it possible for a dance student to become a professional dancer and achieve their dream of dancing on stage.
When can girls be put on pointe? Truthfully, not every girl can or should participate in pointe work. Lack of foot and ankle flexibility, flat feet, bunions or other foot problems, as well as students who are lacking strength or are over-weight should be discouraged from pointe work. Sadly, many institutions will put any girl en pointe if parents are willing to pay. The Academy refuses to engage in this practice. Only students who are serious about their training and have the physical capacity to participate in pointe work safely are encouraged to take that next step of ballet training. The general accepted age for pointe work is at or after 12 years of age.
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