Breaking in point shoes...?!?

Question

Hi !
I'm having a very hard time breaking my pointe shoes!
I've been watching this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX-PNqJr9z4&mode=related&search= , and I have tried this, but it doesn't seem to work...

Any suggestions on how to do?

Thanks :)

P.s I have a pair of Bloch Serenades

Answer 1

The only way to break in your pointe shoes is to dance in them! Try doing releves in 1st, 2nd and 5th to sutanu. In parallel put one foot on pointe in front of you (knee bent) and roll through to pointe on the other foot. (sometimes called a stair stepper) If you break your shoes in not by dancing in them (bending or banging) your shoes might not mold to your feet. Any of these non-dancing methods and wetting your shoes will shorten the life of your shoes and when you or your parents are paying 70+ for a pair that is not good. I hope I helped! Good Luck!

Answer 2

It depends on how long you've been on pointe and how hard your shank is. I really don't suggest using Blochs because it makes you unstable and the box is so thick that you can't feel the floor. How often do you dance?

If your shank is thin, just do some releves. Try to go on releve leaning on only the edge of your big toe, so that the shoes are leaning toward each other. But be careful, please. Do the latter only if you've been on pointe for a number of years. Whenever possible, just take your point shoes out and do some tondues and releves. Adjust them to your arch.

If you shank is medium to hard, don't use an oven door or anything like that. That's very bad for the shoe and even though they break in fast, they don't have your arch and they might break in the wrong way. This could lead to your breaking your ankle or foot, and no dancer wants that.

Try Russian pointes -- they're broken in already. However, being a russian shoe, they might not mold and be as comfortable as the American brands, such as Bloch. I'd say Grishko Pro 2007 or 2008's are your best happy medium. Not many stores carry 2008's. But if you're intent on your Blochs, I know what you mean. Go to a pointe shoe store to get fitted, not a dance supply store (dance ten, discount dance, etc). The employees at pointe shoppes are generally more informed, former dancers, and are much better at fitting to your foot. They are experts.

Hope I helped,
Good luck,
E

PS it's a good idea not to wear toe pads. I don't. You can't feel the floor. Try some paper towels if you start to bleed at first, or tape your blisters. You get to the point after awhile where you don't have to tape because you don't have blisters -- only callusses.

Answer 3

First off the box is not made of wood they r made of layers and layers of very stiff cardboard so if u put a little water on the parts that are stiff in the box then walk on half pointe for about ten min they will loosen up. Also wet them before glass and they should stay loose throughout the class. For your shank bend it back and forth for a while and dont be afraid to push a little. If u need anymore help just ask!! Hope i helped!!

Answer 4

The pointe shoes break YOU in, not the other way around, lol
You need to have some good pads like bunhead toe pads. Getting them professionally fitted is super important also. The Russian ones are the best, such as Grishko with someone taking a good long time to fit you right.
The toe part is wood, it will not "break in"
The shank is stiff, and the stiffness gives your foot the support it needs during your dance. You should try to flex the shank a bit, though, just by bending it around back and forth.

Answer 5

When I broke my 1st pointe shoes in all I did was do TONS and TONS of slow rises in my shoes making sure that I really worked through my whole foot. The more often you do that the softer they become. I currently have Gaynor Mindens and I LOVE them! You don't need to break them in in any way... A lot of people say that they make your feet lazy, but I disagree. You just have to make sure that when you rise en pointe that you roll through your whole foot ie.through demi-pointe and 3/4 pointe. It is a really good strengthening exercise for your feet and ankles. Gaynore Mindens are my favourite brand of pointe shoes, however, if you are a beginner you are better off starting pointe the "hard way" =)

Answer 6

I had Serenades as well. They take a while. You just need to wear them, a LOT. Walk around and flex the sole at home, etc.

If you "hammer" the toe against a hard surface, that helps to loosen the glue..

Good luck!

Answer 7

a number of thebest workouts for paying for better your pointe artwork are an extremely sluggish releve from flat via demi and finally onto finished pointe. Take 4 sluggish counts to go back as a lot as finished pointe and then roll back down for 4. Do an aspect tendu and then lean onto the operating foot in a small lunge, repeat with a the front tendu and ensure that you do save your turnout in the course of the front tendu. i imagine some different person already suggested going up on pointe and then bending your knees and crouching down till your bottom is resting on your heels - in case you try this at the same time as conserving onto a barre you may extremely lean your weight ahead over the shoes and get a constructive arch in them. be particular you artwork unmarried releves usually besides at the same time as doing the sluggish releves. The undesirable information is there is extremely no "magic" element which will top away destroy your pointe shoes in and lead them to splendidly versatile and yet nonetheless supportive sufficient so that you may dance in - each and every dancer has to attempt with her shoes and are available up with what works perfect for her, and it nonetheless takes time and persistence to break a shoe in proper. Being too hard with them will in basic terms damage them and shorten an already short existence span. (I believe the dancer who begged you no longer to slam them in a door.) some dancers I worked with had strong luck with steaming them - conserving them over a tea kettle and then gently bending them into structure with their fingers. the major be conscious the following is *gently*. because the shoe isn't something more suitable than glue and fabrics with some satin slapped on top of it, that is noticeably tender i anticipate because you acquire a three/4 shank you've a robust good foot and do not opt for the skill an finished shank supplies - for most dancers with a versatile and strong foot, there has a tendency to be a situation of arching over too some distance contained in the shoe and tipping it ahead. I continually had to come across a three/4 shank shoe, regardless of the truth that, because my foot become good yet no longer really versatile. The leaning tendus and the sluggish releves extremely appeared to help me plenty in breaking my shoes in. As you artwork more suitable en pointe, please be open to experimenting and attempting on new pointe shoes. Your ft and your needs will replace as you grow to be more suitable advanced and the shoe it really is ideal for you presently in basic terms isn't ideal many years down the line. wish this helps some! -Shirasaya

Answer 8

If you try to break them in just by wearing them, they can get bent in the wrong place. I have heard that some people slam them in doors, but this leaves marks on the satin. I suggest holding the block with one hand and the heel with the other and just bending it with your hands as hard as you can. After you do that, you can work them by articulating your foot and they should break in just fine!

Answer 9

according to my daughter, the 16 year old expert on everything, it takes a long time and you just have to keep working at it. she literally spent hours breaking hers in.

Answer 10

Try buying a different pair? Just a thought.