In-Person & Online Pre-Pointe Assessments for Dancers

Is Your Dancer Ready for Pointe Work? Our pre-pointe assessment helps ensure your dancer has the strength, stability, and alignment needed to begin pointe safely — setting them up for success and preventing injury from day one.

Book your pre-pointe assessment

What Is a Pre-Pointe Assessment?

Before a dancer goes en pointe, it’s essential to confirm that their body is ready for the demands of pointe work.

A pre-pointe assessment is a one-on-one evaluation designed to identify whether your dancer has the strength, mobility, balance, and technique needed to progress safely and confidently onto pointe.

As a physiotherapist and dance medicine specialist, I combine years of clinical expertise with an understanding of the art and athleticism of dance to help every dancer reach their next milestone without injury and continue dancing for life.

Starting pointe too early can lead to stress fractures, ankle instability, and chronic injuries that may limit a dancer’s long-term potential.

A professional assessment ensures your dancer begins at the right time, not just when the shoes look beautiful, but when their body is truly prepared for the challenge.

This assessment is ideal for:

  • Dancers preparing to start pointe work

  • Students recommended by their instructor for readiness testing

  • Dancers who’ve had a previous injury and want to return safely to pointe

  • Parents and teachers who want peace of mind about readiness and safety

With a pre-pointe assessment, your dancer will:

  • Build confidence knowing they are ready for pointe work

  • Learn what to focus on to improve readiness if they are almost there

  • Prevent overuse injuries and ankle or foot strain

  • Develop healthy movement patterns that last throughout their dance career

What’s Included In The Pre-Pointe Assessment:

Your dancer’s 45–60-minute session includes a comprehensive head-to-toe evaluation

  • Mobility + Alignment

    · Foot and ankle flexibility (plantar flexion, dorsiflexion)

    · Hip turnout and core alignment

    · Postural assessment in first, fifth, and relevé positions

  • Strength + Stability

    · Calf strength (relevé endurance test)

    · Lower-extremity and core strength testing

    · Single-leg balance and control

  • Functional Movement Testing

    · Pliés, sautés, and relevés

    · Jump landing mechanics

    · Turnout control and knee tracking

  • Education + Plan

    · Immediate feedback on strengths and areas for improvement

    · Individualized home exercise program (if needed)

    · Guidance for dancers, parents, and instructors

The Process

Step 1: Book your pre-pointe assessment online.

Step 2: Arrive to the virtual appointment (or in-person appointment) in dance attire; bring your ballet slippers and any pre-pointe shoes if you have them.

Step 3: Receive your readiness results and personalized plan at the end of your session

Step 4: Sometimes dancers need to come back for 2nd visits between 1-6 months, depending on results from assessment.

If your dancer is ready, congratulations!

If not quite yet, we’ll outline exactly what to work on to get there safely.

Ready to find out if your dancer is ready for pointe?

Book your pre-pointe assessment today and help them take the next step in their dance journey with confidence and care.

IF YOU ARE LOCATED OUTSIDE OF VANCOUVER/NORTH VANCOUVER, BC

Book Online (Telehealth) Initial Assessment

IF YOU ARE LOCATED IN VANCOUVER OR NORTH VANCOUVER, BC

Book In-Person Initial Assessment

More About Erika Mayall

If we haven’t met before, Hi!

I’m Erika Mayall, a dance-specific physiotherapist based in North Vancouver, BC, Canada.

I’m the founder of Allegro Performance + Wellness and the host of The Dance Physio Podcast. As a former dancer and dance teacher, I was always fascinated with anatomy, human movement and how the body works. This led me to a career in physiotherapy – and ultimately pairing my 2 passions – dance + physiotherapy.

Now, with over 15 years of clinical experience treating dancers and other artistic athletes, I’m in the unique position of being able to use both my dance and teaching experience, along with my clinical expertise to address issues that are so prevalent in the dance world.

Being able to ‘speak’ the language of dance, I’m passionate about sharing this knowledge with the dance community, with the ultimate goal of changing the landscape of the dance industry for the better.

Have more questions? Email hello@allegroperformance.com and I'll get back to you ASAP.