Pointe Shoes-A Dancer’s Dilemma
Read more articles on Ballet and Let Me Share With You.December 1, 2006
Posted by Karen Amato Schwartz
December 1, 2006
Posted by Karen Amato Schwartz
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Every female ballet student will probably think about proceeding to pointe shoes for the dance experience to be complete.
I have been on and off pointe for most of my life and those shoes hold every ounce of mystique and allure that they always have. My fascination with them has not ebbed in the least, and I still feel more like a ballerina when I wear them. That said, the ability required to dance on pointe has to rank on par with the most strenuous and difficult physical activities in this known universe. Those beautiful visions of pink satin loveliness are torture devices in disguise.
Pointe dancing on two feet is relatively doable-if the shoes fit, there are no blisters, and the dancer has had extensive ballet training. However, the strength necessary for one legged rises onto the tips of the toes in some turns or choreographed lifts takes years of hard work to develop.
I’m still working on it.
Last night was a milestone: I made it through 70 out of 90 minutes of technique class on pointe. I hadn’t had them on in any class for years-and I can still walk today! I’m now inspired to not only last the full hour and a half, but to make it look effortless. (That will probably take me to about age 55…would that put me into the Guinness Book of Records?)
In an already grueling endeavor, pointe requires continuity, perseverance and stamina. That means that one needs to commit to it. However, every time on pointe brings with it the unfortunate chance of a fall or sprain, which is usually more embarrassing than hurtful, but the possibly of injury definately exists.
Therefore, beginning pointe students, or those who have not been on pointe for some time, should not attempt any technique class on pointe. But, those who have utilized solid pointe training previously may consider doing so in certain situations, such not being able to find open, specified-pointe classes for adults. But only think about doing technique on pointe if you are taking at least 2 such classes per week and have a thorough knowledge of what the class generally consists of in focus, speed and difficulty. Most importantly, start preparation for this endeavor a few months ahead of time by staying in the studio after class for about 15 minutes-when muscles are thoroughly warmed-with the shoes on. Do as many prances and releves at the barre as possible, striving to keep just one finger on the barre to regain strength. After some weeks, try passé releves, echappes and pirouettes in centre. (Build up to the latter with quarter and half turns first.) Once piques and pique turns seem solid, you’re probably ready to wear the shoes in class.
Most teachers will not say anything about the wearing of shoes in a technique class, as long as they are sure you are competent in them. Plus, dance students often change into flat shoes when they can’t tolerate them any longer, so that option always exists.
Personally, I never thought it was a good idea to wear them in regular class, as there is a multitude of other aspects of technique to concentrate on. But yesterday I felt ready to move to the next level of testing myself. Dancing in pointe shoes does change one’s way of thinking about the execution of many steps, so additional challenges are thus created. To be able to meet them is rewarding no matter what the dancer’s age, but to finally be able to do so at a time of life when many dancers are retiring is, indeed, a special kind of achievement!
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