| When I was professionally training and needed pointe | | | | tissue which could bunch up. The waxy paper also slid |
| shoes, I could choose between Gamba and Freed. | | | | against the tights, preventing blisters. Later we used |
| Freeds were agonizing for my not so flexible and not | | | | Saran Wrap too, for the slippery effect. |
| quite strong enough feet, and Gambas were much | | | | By year two of training I had developed better |
| easier to break in for me. Unfortunately, no one told us | | | | techniques of avoiding the extreme pain. What a |
| how to initially break in a shoe so as to enhance our | | | | waste of a year, also the negative perception of my |
| work. | | | | abilities by my teachers. I was truly struggling |
| I was in a class with some younger girls and they | | | | unnecessarily and could have done much better. |
| were a year ahead of me in training. I was told that | | | | We all wore shoes that were too small. We had no |
| pointe work hurts, and not to complain. I was told that | | | | guidance in strengthening the intrinsic foot muscles. I |
| a little Lamb's Wool was ok to put in the shoes, but | | | | think I was already teaching when I heard another |
| that the dancer should be able to do pointe without it, | | | | teacher describe the "dragging the towel" exercise to |
| and not to complain. | | | | a student, for strengthening under the foot. That |
| No one had help in fitting the shoes, or breaking them | | | | student had a problem with muscle cramps. Which we |
| in. I went through classes seeing black spots from the | | | | all did in my first year. |
| pain, straining my neck and shoulders, getting the usual | | | | I was extremely lucky in another aspect however. Our |
| bloody blisters. It did not seem to occur to my teacher | | | | pre-pointe training was excellent in that our posture, |
| that maybe something was amiss with me and a few | | | | placement, turnout, rises, relieves and retire positions |
| others who had these problems. | | | | were as perfect as our physiques could allow. We |
| Students shared different tips and tricks with each | | | | had teachers' assistants in large classes so everyone |
| other, to make things easier. Wrapping Kleenex around | | | | was corrected, constantly. |
| our toes was one. Another amusing one was that at | | | | However, the anatomical knowledge that is available |
| The National Ballet School, the ancient washroom (long | | | | now, was unknown. The details that could have |
| gone at this point) had funny little squares of toilet | | | | allowed some of us to flourish, weren't known. |
| paper that were waxy, as opposed to absorbent. | | | | I hope you'll look at my blog to get the good news - all |
| They were perfect for pointe shoes! Two layers | | | | the details you need to build strength and work toward |
| meant that they would slide against each other, unlike | | | | pointe, regardless of your age profile, is now available. |