Another pointe shoe question..?

Question

if you dont get up onto pointe properly is it that the vamp is too high or that the back is too hard?

help!

Answer 1

u possibly just have to break in your pointe shoes more.

Answer 2

the back is 2 hard put some rubbing alcohol on the arch.

Answer 3

if you are not standing flat on the box of the shoe you probably

a)  need to stretch your feet more.    

b) might need a shorter vamp  

the hardness of the shank shouldn't make much of a difference .

Answer 4

It depends on your foot. If you have a high arch, then you may need to soften the shank and keep the high vamp.

Also, you can stretch your feet - the best exercise I've found is to take a piece of wood about 18in by 5-6in. Take a strip of carpeting or other strong fabric - s***w/nail/superglue it to the side or bottom about 2in from the edge of the long side, drape it over your foot, and then attach to to the other side. You now have a board with a fabric loop on one end. Stick your pointed foot with your knee bent into the fabric loop. Slowly straighten your knee - the weight of the board will stretch your arch. [I know this is a long explaination - but I don't have a picture of one - this is much cheaper than any of the fancy ones they sell on discountdance]. Hold this for 30sec and alternate feet. Remember to stretch out your Achilles and calf afterwards.

Make sure that you are fitted by a professional - the right pointe shoes for your feet make all the difference.