En Pointe!

A ballerina's life is spent on the tips of the toes. In this meditative mini-doco, three of our dancers take us through their personal pointe-shoe prep routines (featuring knives, matches and shellac) and wax reflective about nurturing their feet.
Production by The Apiary

[@littlestburk]

i think we can all agree that this is the most aethetically pleasing stuff ever

[@sixfeetundertheradar6080]

Fiona Burkholder I don't even dance ballet and most of the videos I view are about ballet

[@rhiannon909]

Fiona Burkholder as a ballerina im flattered (,:

[@hollys8694]

That’s just the Australian ballet 👍

[@elana9259]

Fiona Burkholder thank you for not saying satisfying

[@el_heladode_pico3677]

Yo soy bailarina de ballet y army

[@snowglobe3833]

Does anybody else love the sound of the pointe shoe cracking?

[@virginiathompson880]

Lol i thought I was the only one😂😂

[@kalagreen2838]

Me 2 😂😂

[@HS-xh4vg]

+Angelina Graham that's ASMR guys

[@kateunicorn4996]

last night (2nd july 2016) I danced as one of the four little swans in Swan Lake and I loved the chorogeography bec of the cracking sound:)

[@bookmilla8616]

Snowglobe383 yessssss

[@serbanescusimona]

Dancers' feet are not ugly. They're dancers' feet. They are moulded on the wonderful job they do. Pain is another thing...

[@ajitchaku]

I want to see more of this. Like how dancers prepare their shoes

[@Cranberry12]

Same! I love these kind of videos!

[@ameliebarlette7906]

same i love these

[@unbelievablyexhausted4251]

alyssa jitchaku yesssss

[@chess4072]

I love watching these too!

[@dinacesardarosa2209]

@@unbelievablyexhausted4251 yçrl Cl .. criançadesc0bertSnotel

[@Starr90377]

Ballerinas are so amazing and hardcore

[@bookmilla8616]

Tarrea Tolbert thanks ahaha

[@lydia_crafts5741]

All the hard work does pay off in the end ☺️

[@aldckids9627]

That_Girl_Lydia 123 So true:) the feeling of being on stage is greater than any other feeling in the world!

[@iheartvampires5258]

Tarrea Tolbert Thx for the compliment, it’s very hard work!

[@wassup6812]

Thxs lol

[@LifeOfABean101]

I swear. Half those views are mine.

[@susanli6706]

+Pizza Person I see you all the time!

[@EmillieAsh]

Same!!!!!!!!

[@kat-kalamity]

the other half is mine lol

[@Julia-sw1tv]

beany MEEEEE

[@analiagriffin3086]

Dude. Same. I always come back to this video for some reason. It’s just beautiful and artistic. Idk

[@carlyheartsdance]

I've watched this so many times in the past and yet it never gets old.. It still always strikes the same chord in my heart.

[@Lizzygotstyle]

Exactly my thoughts it inspires me! If I ever feel like giving up I just come back to this video! And it never gets old

[@adriennerichards7698]

Same, I watch it then start it over again

[@ursulaking4411]

I don't agree that ballerinas' feet are ugly to look at. They are elongated and graceful. Just not conventional.

[@ursulaking4411]

Functional is never pretty? I strongly disagree with that. However, my original statement wasn't about that. One of the ballerina's in the video says that a ballerina's feet isn't nice to look at, but I think the feet they show in the footage is quite nice to look at. They have a special, unique charm. What is wrong with feeling this way about them?

[@georginaadam188]

+Elise Kresovic I feel you I just got mine a month ago haven't done much on them but already I have blisters and skin peeling

[@Brooke-bd5vy]

They are so ugly, always covered in blisters, red sores, and all of the calluses. I have been dancing for 11 years and I have been on pointe for about 2 years now. They are constantly in pain being on our toes for so long

[@Lizzygotstyle]

I think they are beautiful!!! The feet tell a story I feel, like every performance you use the same feet but not the same pointe shoes! So you will always have feet to dance in but you will always have different shoes!

[@ursulaking4411]

Pete Kaz What a nice comment to randomly come across ^_^

[@pricla777]

I love the crunching sound of pointe shoes when they're being adjusted to our feet! Freeds are the most flexible, so they don't need a lot of adjustment. They just naturally mold to our feet while providing support and comfort. I've always worn Classic Freed. They love my feet, and I love them!

[@georginaadam188]

I wear a Grishko 2007 pro flex size 5 (I'm 12)

[@syd5716]

+oksana price Thank you for saying that cause I wear bloch European balance and I want something that molds to my feet. I have this really weird thing that I do I wet them then put them on until they dry and then they are hard and molded to my feet. They last longer now its about 2-3 weeks before they die. But now that you said that I want to try freeds

[@clairebeaumont8540]

I just started pointe and I wear Freeds. Really liking them so far.

[@bianxanicole8395]

you should hear russians cracking. ahh it’s the best since they’re so hard it makes the cracking just that much louder and more satisfying. my “older sister” at my ballet school wore russians and she’d teach me how she broke them in. i miss the sound. it’s so welcoming it’s like getting a hug from my academy

[@kat1662]

i wear grishkos and russians

[@agdancestudios12]

This is like the 20th time I've watched this! I'm obsessed!

[@kadymaude5899]

Same!

[@TheDanabug03]

same and i just got my pointe shoes yesterday

[@NadaNoppes01]

Ashley slate Congratulations!

[@TheDanabug03]

Myrthe van de Veen thank you :)

[@paigecederlund4140]

Oh my gosh same I thought I was weird...

[@leyllachamale]

Why cant they make another one of these with different people and like make a series out of it.

[@WfysNCK]

That would be great!!! Mostly because I keep watching this video over and over again, and it would be great if there was a series so I didn't do that! ;-)

[@leylaignossia7344]

Leylla Greenawalt yesss that would be awesome❤️ as a ballerina I really relate to them :/

[@perpetua111vv]

A guitar player or a violinist or an ice dancer.

[@TatianaRooney]

I think this is one of my favorite videos on KZbin. It just makes me happy for some reason :)

[@ashlyn1209]

Tatiana Rooney OMG IKR!!!!

[@catherinetodd]

What a beautiful video... I got my ballet pointe shoes when I was 28 years old! But why in the world hasn't the ballet world accepted new technology for their shoes? After all the scientific motion studies that go into athletes shoes, surely ballet shoes could be re-engineered and designed so that young women would not have to ruin their feet just to dance classical ballet! And they wouldn't have to buy a brand new pair of shoes after every single performance. This just isn't right. Some things need to change, and protecting the ballerina's feet should be the first priority.

[@carlal.5072]

If men had to wear them to do ballet they would be redesigned.

[@fitthickchic6732]

How long had you been doing ballet when you got your pointe shoes?

[@tracyDoo]

That's really a good point(e, hehe). I love Ballett and pointe shoes and all, but as soon as I knew how many shoes are wasted and land in the trash, I was a shocked. 250.000 shoes are thrown away by the ny city ballett a year! They've said that in a video here on youtube. They obviously can't be recycled. I guess the materials should be more environment friendly.

[@mikaylaangela]

I know right! We're thinking of redesigning a pointe shoe for research class

[@emilyt3549]

you also have to consider the amount of money going into the arts as well as how much goes into athletics, and compare cost of operation. (say, new uniforms and stadium upkeep versus a ballet company’s expenditure) I’ll give you a hint, ballet does bring in anywhere near as much, and therefore operates on a much less expensive scale as our sports playing counterparts.

[@soupedelimaces]

I've watched this so many times i know by heart all the things they say.

[@avaholmes6315]

omg same😂

[@hannahhokanson6477]

Meee to im so exited to get pointe shoes and I love dancing and whatching people dance 😀😀😀

[@jcyisforreal]

Quite beautiful. Ballet is a wonderful thing

[@de3675]

I always did it all on my pointe shoes , ma I was very lucky , I still have my beautiful and whole feet !!! This is a rarity among ballerinas ...

[@paulinacardenas975]

Agree

[@clarahill5363]

I have watched this so many times it's not even funny yet it still never gets old

[@pricla777]

Same here!

[@shayanaforoutan9311]

i watched this all the time when i was in pre pointe. i've been doing pointe for a year now and omg it's just as good 😫😍😍

[@emmashanelife]

Shayana Foroutan that will be me, getting pointe shoes for first time tomorrow

[@wx3359]

@@emmashanelife how's pointe so far? Im starting rly soon 😂😂🙈

[@emmashanelife]

Wei Xin Tee It’s worth all the effort and time you put in during flat ballet shoes. Going into my second dance season with pointe shoes. You must so excited!

[@renee_6974]

Emma Shane how long did you do ballet before you got pointe shoes? Ive been doing ballet for a month and already cant wait!

[@cassandradoyle3609]

Renée, be patient don't rush into it and hurt yourself

[@joychoi2395]

5 years ago I've watched this hundreds of times, and now I'm back.

[@user-tk3df7ju6e]

One of the most subtle and intimate video of dancers and their pointe shoes. I always cry a little inside while breaking in a new pair each time, though.

[@chrognos]

Why lol?

[@dandygirl6]

What inspiring women who work to the bone for their art form, more people should appreciate ballet!

[@rebecca_m_xo_05]

Every now and again I come back to this video. I used to watch this before my time on pointe, and even now that I've stopped, I still find it so soothing and intriguing. Thank you, Australian Ballet! Great video 💜

[@angelvisto2768]

is it just me, or am I obsessed with pointe shoes clicking on the floor?

[@CaRLaiTJiE]

I have never done ballet...but for some reason this video is so comforting to me. It just never gets old for me

[@miraculouslb_fan8468]

As someone who uses pointe shoes regularly I love them and I couldn’t imagine not having/ wearing them!! It is one of the best feelings in the world, it feels so natural.

[@catherineevans8415]

I watch this every night before I go to bed!

[@shayanaforoutan9311]

HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I WATCHED THIS VIDEO?!!

[@pricla777]

+Shayana Foroutan Not as many as I have!

[@MissEmcat24]

That was beautiful. I'm a dancer, too, and while I don't do ballet, I can relate to the sentiments here... the pain, the therapeutic ritual of preparing shoes, the joy of getting better--all of it. I'm an Irish dancer and we have something similar to pointe in our hardshoes. The first week of camp that I did "toe walks," one of my big toes got so bruised that I had to have the nail taken off! All of the pain I've been through has been worth it though. I can't imagine my life without dance.

[@emmahamilton7182]

I'm happy I'm not the only one who watches this everyday

[@sarah-in4oc]

This vid just makes you realize how many people are different and have a strong love of dance

[@TheLolliDolli]

The sounds of the process are so satisfying. Just the breaking of the shank, the crunching of the box, and the soft peeling back on the sole of the show. I barely know anything about ballet but this process right here is just soothing. :D

[@rh-ml5nv]

I just got approved for pointe and I couldn't be more excited omgggg

[@circuslindsey]

I have watched this video so many times! I think that it is so true how dancers' feet look worse than they feel, and I really agree with the comparison about someone who works with their hands.

[@hannah7351]

I have watched this every night before bed for about a year. I memorized everything they say and it still touches a certain place in my heart.

[@medinageno11]

I watch this so many times

[@isobelmoxon8776]

Same!

[@lilab5376]

the last time i watched this it was a few years ago and i was still a dancer and i'm watching it now after having quit, it's so heartbreaking

[@isabelarnez5043]

this video never gets old.

[@astridpinel2789]

I love this video, i discovered it because someone reposted it on facebook so I had to search it on YT and come to give it the view it deserves!

[@viv1playz510]

This video changed my life i literally watched it every day after i got my pointe shoes lol

[@Decramikahe]

There's this one guy in my ROTC class that already graduated but still comes in everyday and helps. One day we were playing dodge ball and I remember seeing him run in the gym. His calves were incredibly strong and his feet were arched. I told him he looked like he did ballet or something and he actually did, It made me have this sort of pride in him that he loved being such a guy who loved sports and ROTC but still loved ballet and would prove to anyone that it takes strength and dedication.

[@hannah7351]

I have watched this so many times.

[@zoetedesco1224]

Even without pointe shoes, a dancer can be beautiful and graceful. To me, a pointe shoe is taking the dancer to the next level of gracefulness and beauty.

[@CarAppleInTheHeart]

THANK YOU, you remembered me this connection! I'm a oboist, and I was watching this video because I love ballet and the techniques that there are behind even if I CAN'T DANCE, I don't have the phisique etc. But now I realize that this kind of special preparation is what I do everytime with my instrument... And so it make me feel special in what I love to do :)

[@chloelainelobsinger3488]

I have watched this video thousands of times!!! I watch if I need inspiration and it always brings it!

[@shadowpuppet222]

Ballerinas are badasses. Don’t even try to deny.

[@hopeblackbeak8730]

I have absolutely nothing to do in the field of Ballet whatsoever, never did, never will...and yet I can't stop watching these

[@AriRHen]

Please do another video like this showing what other dancers do. I love this video, and watch it too often!

[@m.davidson2232]

I remember watching this video over and over again About 3 years ago before I got my first pair of pointe shoes

[@MS-mb7xj]

I've watched this so many times, so let me just say. This is an extremely well done video, props to whoever made it ♡

[@cjculver4973]

its beautiful how this video was put out 9 years and its still trending, culture never stops. Love it ❤

[@hannah7351]

Does anyone know if methylated spirits work to harden feet like she says?

[@seaofag9752]

would not recommend lol. methylated spirits are poisonous.

[@nikkivontease]

I smiled when she said "they're doing a job, i kinda like them"... It's exactly how i feel when people gasp at my scary feet. I think they are beautiful!

[@mortiskaramazov]

I've watched this more times than i 'd liked to admit

[@congeladosalpresa2035]

Hi

[@mistythestaffy7944]

I’ve wanted pointe shoes for YEARS I started when I was 4 I had a break off ballet but they are my dream

[@Coffee-vp4do]

I don’t agree that ballerinas feet are not pretty. I think it shows the hard work that they put in.

[@0.0056]

They're such graceful dancers, they make it look easy. This truly is a beautiful art.

[@emmy_4837]

I’m going to take good care of my feet when I get on pointe next summer. :}

[@Nobody-df4xg]

I am getting my first pair of pointe shoes in about a week. It means so much to me that I can actually have these shoes! Somebody that is not a dancer never understands how much it means to be a dancer.

[@elliem7912]

Did you get them yet and if so what type???

[@Nobody-df4xg]

Jane M I did! I actually just got them yesterday! Idk what type lol... I really love them tho. It was hard breaking them in but I eventually got it

[@elliem7912]

@@Nobody-df4xg Yay! Congrats!

[@danielacruz8522]

I wish someday can be like them

[@chess4072]

Of course you can! 😊

[@egirl998]

Literally the most beautiful video I've ever seen visually. I'm finally being allowed to go up on pointe after 12 years of dancing, and I've been watching this video almost every day for 2 years now.

[@sofiaestrada7550]

Bro I hate all these comments saying its "aesthetic" when they've done years of training just to call something aesthetic, dont @ me its just an opinion so you dont gotta get all pressed

[@boogerrrrr]

I think they mean this video specifically is aesthetic with the filters and the filming style, not the dancers dancing

[@rosanechawi2440]

I am not a dancer, but when I was young, I took ballet courses and failed tremendously, which made me appreciate the art even more. Every move of a ballerina fascinates me. The pointe technique and the pointe shoes are becoming my new source of inspiration

[@Goodiesfanful]

I tried ballet, but I wasn’t made to make a career out of it.

[@mareyameballet9073]

Who loves ballet ❤

[@jqi8872]

Their so good at dancing! So wonderful! Their arches are completely wonderful!

[@deliaclaudette]

I think I've watched this a thousand times

[@MsHipsterstyle]

The first time I've seen this video I was 14 and never taken a ballet class before,this video gave me encouragement to start my childhood's dream.Now i'm 18,and finally on pointé. Thank you 💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@racheljohnson9773]

I probably,watched this a billion times

[@elizabethmckittrick789]

I remember watching this before I got my first pair of pointe shoes... I've been on pointe for 4 years now and this video never fails to inspire me.

[@EmmaKotargh456]

Best video ever

[@chantelleorlando3052]

i don't know why, but this video relaxes me, i have watched it over 7 times, something about them talking about their pointe shoes, makes me feel peaceful / relaxed.

[@kailynharris4834]

I've watched this so many times omg

[@kamrynfilms]

Same

[@honeygirl3322]

I want pointe shoes so badly but I have to do a few more years of ballet and strengthen my feet and ankles... I also need to work on my flexibility. This video just calms me down for some reason, i love it.

[@Babyperidot]

pointe is so gorgeous but oh my god does it look painful. who ever thought of standing on your toes haha!

[@musicalrock192]

Doesn't hurt too much when you get used to it

[@chrognos]

Back in the 1600 maybe 1700s? Marie something or another wanted to look more fairy like or something like that, so she stuffed her flats so during some moments she could go onto the tips of her toes for a second or two. That evolved into this. Now we get to do full on hops on pointe and other painfully difficult moves.

[@yuliaballet4068]

Absolutely adore this video! I have probably watched it hundreds of times. I always come here got motivation if I am feeling down.

[@daniellarose6785]

why is this youtube recommending me to this in 2020. bruh this was posted 8years ago in 2011!!!!! soon to be 9years ago!!!!!

[@demialemargie2502]

same lol

[@pepperpotts4770]

ボロボロになるほど使い込んだトゥシューズが1番踊れるのですがそれでは本番には履けないのです

[@pheart2381]

all these videos are very nicely presented.

[@avapeters3458]

Seeing how intense pointe is for all of these lovely dancers is fascinating. I do pointe as well (three years). Preparing the shoes to be the way that you want them to be gets less difficult overtime. Just looking at the shoes and methods in this video has represented the evolution of pointe shoes really very well. I do things very differently so that just proves that the way that you wear your shoes is out of complete preference.

[@Coffee-vp4do]

When people call pointe shoes ballet slippers __________

[@keyaunasoucy2438]

there 2 different shoes 😭

[@chupachups3707]

Im addicted to pointe shoes and i think ive watched all of them I NEED MORE

[@caitlynpham2541]

One question 2020?

[@annagreer7862]

i thought you were gonna say what are those and i was prepared to be proud

[@theempress1104]

Wow dancers have so much strength. Strength that is effortless. The strength to endure heavy lifting using their toes. You're sooooo amazing!!!

[@lpsnickels3480]

This video is satisfying

[@Skittleshersheys]

More dancers should do videos like this! I watch this video almost every week just for inspiration!

[@xoLpRsToxo]

i had my first pointe class yesterday!!

[@calderondemorales2286]

Congratulations!!!

[@WfysNCK]

Nice work!!!

[@mckalldenney9003]

I was going to say congrats, but then I realized you said that 4 years ago....

[@melindad3643]

@@mckalldenney9003 same

[@chess4072]

Congrats even though you said that 4 years ago. 😂

[@asianfingers999]

I can't even articulate what makes this video so incredibly beautiful.... I've watched it dozens of times and still am not tired of it. It's just mesmerizing.

[@serenajazz4541]

I am getting mine this September

[@thisismusicforpeople]

I always come across this video, and every time I have to watch it. One of my favourite videos of all time!

[@OofusTwillip]

Advertisers and influencers convince us that our feet should be perfectly soft and smooth, with no corns or calluses. Ballerinas know that, if you keep getting corns and calluses, your body's doing it to protect itself from injury to those areas.

[@darcykeenan-smith1453]

I find it fascinating that each balerina has there own way of doing their pointe shoes it is a art

[@ufo.architect]

You know that Styrofoam thing you use to separate the toes to paint the nails? Would that help you?

[@marnie7039]

No, but we do have something similar called toe spacers which are gel bits that some dancers put in-between their toes to prevent things such as bunions and pressure on certain toes while en pointe.

[@AnnabelleDrumm]

Beautiful mini doco. See guys? Dancers aren't all Black Swan. Most are very practical and sensible. They love their craft and understand the value in making their audience smile.

[@selahleigh5845]

this is hypnotising to watch idk

[@LChayim9]

This was great, actually seeing the different ways each dancer prepares her pointe shoes. Also great to share with people who go to the ballet but don't understand what goes into making the female dancers able to dance on the tips of their toes (or what it does to their feet!) Very beautiful video too.

[@cassidy4844]

9 more months until I go onto pointe :))

[@nadiagaribay7395]

Forever will be my favorite video

[@norismendez6712]

I can't imagine trying to afford 8 pairs of pointe shoes

[@MsNina158]

You are so right!!! This video has been made so well that once you watch it you can't stop

[@karley3656]

I got my first pair of pointe shoes today

[@iheartvampires5258]

Karley Lucky! I will probably get mine next year....

[@NeonMusic14]

I have been obsessively watching this video since it came out because I thought it was just so mesmerizing. I always wanted my pointe shoes and this video made my desire for them so much stronger. I am pleased to say that after all this time I have finally received them this year. I am just so.......... SO FREAKIN EXCITED!!! Lol yay

[@megs8443]

When I first saw this video I saw the comments saying this was my 100th time and I thought why but this is my 100th time watching this 😂