| Dancing in pointe shoes should not be painful - | | | | type of arch you have, your foot width, and will know |
| uncomfortable sometimes, yes. Getting exactly the | | | | what shoes to suggest. |
| right fit is a challenge - knowing how, and finding a | | | | Your teacher may give you an idea of what shoes to |
| ballet store that has a lot of different kinds of shoes to | | | | try on as well. |
| try on. | | | | Try on the shoes with your tights on your feet, and |
| Some ballet stores have excellent shoe fitters and | | | | also wear some padding - be it gel or lambswool or a |
| some do not. | | | | tissue wrapped around your toes - this will help you |
| Some students have one foot that is longer, or wider, | | | | get as close to exactly the right fit as possible. Don't |
| or weaker than the other foot. | | | | make it a goal to get rid of padding. As you get |
| Pointe shoes must be bought for the longer foot, and | | | | stronger you may use less or none, but don't assume |
| the shorter foot can be padded differently. Just like | | | | you will never need it. |
| you do with your street shoes. | | | | Do not try to stretch the life of your pointe shoes with |
| A weaker foot must be exercised twice as much | | | | extra padding - that will not work, and you may get |
| than the stronger foot. This gives you more | | | | injured. Pouring shellac into the shoe can add some |
| homework, but you can build strength and develop two | | | | extra life, if done before they are worn out. But you |
| strong feet. | | | | need to experiment with this, and have a good pair of |
| Go to a ballet store during quiet shopping hours if | | | | shoes to wear to class while you try out shellacking |
| possible. Call them first and let them know you want to | | | | another pair. Without practise, you cannot count on this |
| come in and talk to someone who knows the shoe | | | | to work out well. |
| inventory, and can help you. Ask a lot of questions | | | | Ultimately, if you have good practise routines to |
| before the store personnel bring out shoes. | | | | continue building strength for ballet and pointe work, |
| If you have hypermobile feet with a high arch, you'll | | | | you can avoid dancing in pain. Taking care of your feet |
| need stronger shanks, probably a longer vamp, though | | | | involves strength, gentle stretches for some of you, |
| not if your toes are short. | | | | foot massage and supportive street shoes. Work like |
| Let the shoe fitter see you on demi pointe - she/he will | | | | a pro, right now. |
| hopefully see right away the length of your toes, the | | | | |