Increase the flexibility in your feet and ankles if they are stiff. You must have enough range of motion to stand on pointe. Straighten one leg in front of you. Then, bend forward and place one hand on either side of the toes and ball of your foot. Gently push your foot toward the floor until you feel a stretch. Hold for eight counts. Repeat with your other foot.
Gain control of your foot muscles, which will help you balance and prevent improper alignment of your foot when you are en pointe. Sit on the floor with your legs straight in front of you. Flex your ankles so your feet are pointed to the ceiling. Slowly point your foot, keeping your toes flexed (bent upward), then point your toes. Reverse the process. Flex your toes, then flex your ankle, returning it to the starting position. Make sure your foot doesn’t sickle (turn in) or wing (turn out) at any time. Repeat the process eight times slowly. Then repeat 16 times quickly.
Strengthen your feet and ankles, which will enable them to support you en pointe, with single leg rises. Stand on one leg and place your hands lightly on the barre. Place the foot of your working leg on the ankle of your standing leg (sur le cou-de-pied). Slowly rise up to a full demi-pointe, keeping your working leg straight. Your working foot should not sickle or wing, and your toes should be relaxed. Lower. Work up to two sets of 10.
Improve your balance. Stand in parallel and hold one foot in sur le cou-de-pied (touching the ankle of your working leg). Balance with your arms in first, second and fifth position for 10 seconds. Repeat with your other leg. When you have mastered that, try balancing in progressively more difficult positions. Balance in sur le cou-de-pied while tilting your head, performing a fondue (plieing or bending the knee of the standing leg while extending the working leg at the same time) and on a wobble board. Repeat the balances while standing in turnout.
Ensure you can hold your turnout. It is more difficult to hold your turnout when en pointe, so you must be aware of, and use, your turnout muscles. Lie on your stomach with your legs straight. Lift both legs in parallel and flex your feet. Turn your legs out, so your feet are in first position. Hold for three seconds, then point your toes and lower your legs to the floor. Perform the clam exercise. Lay on your side with your legs bent at a 90 degree angle. Place the hand of your top arm on the floor in front of you. Make sure your hips are in a straight line. Slowly lift your top knee, keeping your big toes together, then return it to the starting position. This is a small movement, but you should feel your gluteus muscles contracting. Repeat with the other leg. Do sets of 10.
Start doing pointe work slowly at the barre. Do a demi-plie in first position, then straighten both legs. Next rise to demi-pointe, keeping your legs straight. Rise en pointe. Return to demi-pointe. Then, keeping your legs straight, place both heels on the floor. Repeat the exercise 10 times.