| POINTE TIPS (from fitting them to what to do when they're dead!) 1.) When you are first buying your pointe shoes, make sure they fit like a second skin, when your up on pointe, your heel should stay on and only have a little fold of fabric if you pinch them(I recommend doing this, it's the easiest way to tell if the shoes will be comfortable. 2.) After your teacher checks them, you can start sewing on your elastics and ribbons. Before sewing your elastics, make sure you size them to your feet(they shouldn't be loose or tight-just perfect). Then your ready to start sewing. I like to sew my elastics at the back of my heel(make sure you don't accidentaly sew your drawstrings, then you would have to start all over!). Then you can sew your ribbons on! Sew your ribbons in one piece, right behind the seam in the middle of the shoe. If you haven't done this before, you might want to have an older dancer who has done this before or someone who can sew well do this for you. If you have, you might want to try just sewing the ribbons and elastics on the inside fabric of the shoes, so you can see the string. 3.) Now your ready for your first class! Congrats! Now your on the hardest part: breaking them in. Your teacher should show you what to do, and I recommend for 15 minutes every day walking around your house on the balls of your feet(it will help them bend!). Also, do the exercizes you did in class at home every night(just things like treads, releves, etc.) to help your strength and breaking in your shoes. If you want something else, try using therabands, they really help your strength. 4.) After 3 months or so, you are ready to start doing simple things across the floor. The first thing I did was bourres. Take your first time slowly(I know you get excited and want to do it all, but please don't), you don't want to risk hurting your ankles or achilles tendon trying things that are to difficult for your level. 5.) After awhile, your pointe shoes will start to go dead. You can tell if your pointe shoes are wearing out if: you don't feel that you are suppoted when on pointe, you start to roll over your shoes(not good!), and if you can mush the box with your fingers. 6.) If you want to, you can keep your pointe shoes for memories. Or if they still have a little life left in them,you can color and decorate them and use them for fun. Other Useful Tips: *As people who take pointe know, it causes your feet to sweat alot! I wash my ouch pouches once a week just using regular soap and water and letting them dry overnight. Also, put foot powder in your toe shoes once a week. *Sometimes the seam in Ouch Pouches hurt. Try moving the seam to the tip of your toenails, or turning it inside out. *I recommend using convertible tights for pointe. I can't stand wearing tights over my toes during pointe work, so I got my trusty convertible tights and took them off my toes. Problem solved! I hope I helped you and I will be adding more advice as I get more information. |