How do I prepare myself for pointe shoes???

Question

I am a very expierenced dancer. I have been taking Ballet for 8 years. My instructor said I would be going on in the fall but...we have a Summer Dance Camp and you could move up a level or go on pointe shoes quicker. I have 2 weeks to get my self ready how can I get more arch in my foot? How will I get better allignment? Cuz I sooooo badly want to get on. I know there are some expierenced dancers out there and I really need all the help I can get!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

For help with increasing the arch of the foot - you can start with some easy stretches for the top of the foot and in the arch. The top of the point - stand - with one foot point your moot down and use the floor to help push your foot over into more of an arch (do on both feet) Also when sitting down, pointe your foot and pull with your hands to arch your arch more - it is also beneficial to have someone else do this to give it a real stretch.

Point is not all in your foot but in your ankles too. If your ankles tend to be weak - try and strengthen them by doing a plie down in second position then while your down roll your foot up in to a demi pointe (so you are really stretching your arch) and while staying on demi point raise up out of the plie so you are know in second position in releve. Then reverse, come down into a plie still on demi pointe, roll your heels back down on to the floor and then raise back up out of the plie. That is really good for your ankle strengthening, also can be down in first position. Also make sure you do many releves in demi point on one foot and then switch to the other. You will be having to do these same releves onto point so better to strebthen your calves and legs now. By doing this facing the bar you can also watch your turnout and alignment which are very imprortant on pointe.

Other words of caution when beginning pointe:
when you are on pointe be prepared to get blisters on the front of your toes. I would use the 1/2 or 1/4 inch first aid tape and wrap your toes before the lesson (it really helps). Do not use the gel pads for the inside of your pointe shous - lambs wool is better (they also have some lambs wool that is already shaped for you to put your shoes). Some only need there lambs woolin the tips of there shoes, I used the shaped one where it covere all the tips of my toes (it helped a little with the blisters).

When you get your first pair - make sure you put them on and walk around with them on in your home to help soften them up a little - not too much (so some releves in the also). Also you can bend the arches a little - like stretching your foot/arch) When sewing on the elastic and ribbon make sure the elastic is placed where it can give your the most support. Then you can sew the ribbon on for extra support. Not all persons can have the elastic and ribbon sewn on closer to the back of the shoe (I needed to have mine on closer to the back end of my arch). So play with it. Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Well you shouldn't rushs it, but because you've been dancing for so long I bet you're very close to ready. You can stregthen your ankles with many releves. If you do them on stairs with one foot and the other in coupe it definitely helps. Try to control yourself up, then down. You can also use a theraband.

The arch of the foot doesn't matter so much as the strength of ankles. Usually people with high arches have weaker ankles. But again, if you use a theraband you can work on stretching your ankles.

Alignment is something you need to just work on en flat first.

Pointe definitely sucks though, you should take good care of your feet as best you can. Definitely wear padding like Ouch Pouches (www.bunheads.com)

I'm sure you'll be en pointe in no time. Good Luck!

Answer 3

Do a lot of plie's and relevels, I really like the grand plie in second then roll up to relevle and repeat a couple of times, do this in fourth too.

Answer 4

I know pointe is very bad for your feet

Answer 5

Well, you can start by doing exercises to help your heels go stronger... it helps... i've done it... coz if ur heel is not strong enough, you might sprain your ankle... = )

Answer 6

to prepare, the first step is find a new kind of dancing. i'd encourage exotic dancing perhaps. you will get all sorts of attention, trust me. its worth it. HOLLA