You’re ready to start Pointe work? There are some important things to consider before starting pointe work and buying your first pair of shoes.

1 How strong are you ? When you dance on pointe you not only rely on the shoe for support, but also to dance 'out' of the shoe needing huge strength in your legs, hips and abdominal muscles.

2 How many classes do you do each week?  To do Pointe Work, you should take a minimum of 2-3 classes per week,

3 Has your teacher given you permission to go on pointe?

4 Have you started your periods, or had your second growth spurt? This is because the bones are much stronger after the 2nd growth spurt which occurs around the same time as menstruation.

 

It can take 1-2 hours to fit the first pair of shoes, and although this may seem a long time to most dancers, I want you to dance as safely as possible on pointe. This helps to prevent any injuries that may occur from a badly fitted shoe. I also highly recommend the use of demi-pointe shoes for at least 3-6 months before the first pointe shoe fitting. This gives the feet a head start by making them stronger, and gets them used to working in a confined space. The foot has its own natural 3 point support system when stood on the flat: when you go up on pointe, this is lost, so the shoe becomes your support. Always remember, your feet are needed for your whole life, not just for the years when you dance. 

When the shoe is a good fit, it should be like a glove. The toes should be straight and in a normal position inside the shoe when flat and on pointe, the foot should never slip down the shoe, but feel held by the box. 

 Make sure that you tie the ribbons correctly when you put the shoes on. The ribbon on the inside of the ankle goes over first then the other one goes on top. The first one is to support the ankle while the other one holds the first ribbon in place, then both ribbons go around the back of the ankle and, in opposite directions, right round again, being careful to knot them on the inside of the ankle not at the very back on the Achilles tendon as this can damage it.

It is essential that you wear correctly fitted shoes to avoid long term damage occurring to your feet

A correctly fitted pointe shoe should show the toes sitting straight in the shoe

An incorrect fit, the toes are not straight but are scrunched in the bottom of box.

For an Appointment Please Contact:-

Linda Reid-Lobatto

Brighton, East Sussex

 

 

 

Tel:- 07810803996 or

 

Email me