First Pair Fitting: Long Big Toe

First fitting of the New Year and first pair of pointe shoes for Hayden! Her big toe is much longer than her other toes. How do we keep the pressure off?
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[@ajesver185]

Hey Josephine!! I got fitted with you last weekend, and I loved getting fitted by you! I was really glad to meet you!!

[@morgan.r_taylor]

You're so lucky! I've always wanted to get fitted by Josephine!

[@ninajones9924]

I love your videos even though I have never taken ballet lessons. These videos make me appreciate ballet dancers even more!

[@cadekeyrel]

I absolutely love these videos (all of your videos, honestly!)! I'd be interested in seeing a longer video that shows the entire process for a first-time fitting though. How many shoes you tend to try, what types of questions you ask the dancer, their perspective on how pointe shoes feel- especially the difference between the best fitting shoe and a less good match, the foot features you identify that help you to filter the wide array of options, etc.

[@TheSummerStrawberry]

I love watching these first pair of pointe shoe videos because I have my first pointe shoe fitting in 8 days!

[@margaretosterhaudt9948]

I’m getting my first pair of pointe shoes tomorrow! I’m so excited! 😆😆😆

[@emma.l]

did anyone else get excited as soon as they heard "her big toe's a lot longer than the rest of her toes" because that's your problem too😂 what brand is the big toe sleeve you used?

[@hanbigim]

nopeeeeeeey dopey

[@Im_carrots]

My second toe is really long and idk very many people that have that problem :/

[@carollynch3389]

@@Im_carrots Jana Carson @ Ballerinas by Night has that problem and has done a video on it here at KZbin.

[@Saltairandpalemoonlight]

I’m going to my first pointe shoe fitting in two days and I’m so excited, I’ve been binging your videos all week and wold love to have my first pair fitted by you but I live in Virginia but I’m still super excited, Ily💕

[@bh6sic565]

How did it go?

[@morgan.r_taylor]

I get my first pair on Monday! I especially appreciate fittings for more narrow and tapered feet, since my feet are narrow and tapered!

[@BoglimWrangler666]

big toe sleeves are the best padding ever, its all i wear in my pointe shoes (russian pointes) so i can feel the floor fully yet my big toe and bunion is protected and pressure is relieved. the gel lined ones are so comfy

[@lillypimm784]

Is any one else surprised that the first time kids never talk about how weird it is on pointe

[@JGreen-le8xx]

Happy New Year Josephine❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😄

[@supermomochan]

I always wondered how really long toes got fitted! My toes are super long and my big toe is also longer than the rest. This was great to watch!

[@saulbeecher6230]

I'm getting my first pair of pointe shoes today!☺️☺️😆😆❤️

[@skylarrhone8514]

Congrats! I got my first pair to 😃

[@jamielawson3261]

Coool

[@amelia-ft7xe]

i just got my first pointe shoes a couple days ago i'm so excited!!!!!!!

[@leahmullaney4247]

Omg hi 😍👋 could you do a video on demi pointe shoes please 💕

[@cynthiang1592]

Hi!! Can you give some advice for students knuckling on pointe (eg things you can do to your shoe, exercises for your feet etc)

[@rebekkalili296]

Have you tried taping your toes to prevent knuckling?

[@kieralabrum7070]

Have you ever done a fitting with a dancer that has hammer toes? I’ve just started pointe classes but I feel like my toes won’t make it easy for me 😂

[@SP-kk5nj]

kiera labrum I have hammer toes too and it’s a nightmare. I just let them ‘hammer’ in the shoes! However, I didn’t always have hammer toes, it was doing pointe that gave me deformed toes as we weren’t allowed anything in our shoes at all, and I needed 2 spacer’s each side but didn’t have any, so now I have splayed feet and hammer toes 😢

[@SabrinaBella36]

I’ve had hammer toes all my life for my second and third toe on each foot but they legitimately can’t straighten so they are just in their curled shape in the shoe. I’ve never had any horrible Pointe pain or anything because of it so I think it’s find!

[@ahuman4843]

First video in the new decade 🤩❤️

[@tijay8507]

She has good turnout and she looks strong too! at least she is ready for pointe work as quite a few of the girls being fitted are not ready technically or strength wise ... she looks good x

[@kkpumpkin2955]

GUYS THX IM ON POINTE NOW

[@hanbigim]

WOW YAY

[@oliviamaynard708]

Ok so I know this is a different question, but in my studio each dancer is looked and individually for pointe shoes, every other girl in my class made it except for me because I am still to young to be en pointe. And when we are at the barre and they are breaking into their shoes, I just get so bored, is there anything that I can work on to help me get on pointe a little bit faster, or be able to catch up with the other girls if I get on pointe? I know this was a different question but I really hope you see it or anyone can see this. Thanks for your time and have a good rest of your day!

[@freyjagoddess9319]

I had that problem too, all I can say is wait it out, and don't be scared to ask your teacher if you can go on pointe, I'm getting fitted for pointe shoes tomorrow, and I wouldn't be doing that if I didn't ask. There was girls in my class that went on pointe last year, and I was really upset because I didn't know why I couldn't go on pointe as well, but since i waited it out another year and asked again, I can finally go on pointe as well. My advice is to be patient with your teachers.😁 I'm sorry I'm late to this, by the way.

[@hanbigim]

:o

[@jamielawson3261]

You are so brave for sharing that I would say ask about pointe and most likely your teacher will find a way to get you in some extra practice like pre pointe classes

[@oliviamaynard708]

I got on pointe a week ago!!! And thank you to everyone for the advice!!!

[@jamielawson3261]

@@oliviamaynard708 congratulations 🎊

[@kkpumpkin2955]

AAAAAHHHHHHH THEY ARE DECIDING TOMORROW

[@HeatherLandon227]

After watching your videos and other ballet youtube videos- I've come to the conclusion that my pointe shoes didn't fit right. I have the same problem with a high profile foot and low arch. I want to get back into ballet and hopefully be able to go fully on pointe with less pain. I quit during a busy time a decade ago but I really want to go back and build up my strength enough to get back on pointe.

[@kb9847]

I would love to hear follow up in 1-3 months on how her shoes are working and how her toes are feeling.

[@kareyronnow9104]

Hello! This video is of my daughter. She's doing great! Her feet/toes do not hurt her and she is one of the only ones not complaining!

[@kb9847]

@@kareyronnow9104 thanks so much for the update!! I'm so glad to hear that. :)

[@floratora]

Could you do a review of Contempora pointe shoes? Thanks!

[@kashfiaislam9995]

Can I take ballet classes once a week for 3 years and then get my first pair of pointe shoes? 🩰

[@milanavarrobouzid1847]

Do long second toe next please! struggling so much with long toes, second longer, tapered. waaaaa!😵‍💫

[@evakelly8515]

What pointe shoes did she end up getting?

[@jayne5063]

Hey! So I went to get my second pair of pointe shoes yesterday and I ended up getting grishkos. They are very different then my first pair, which were Bloch Hannah’s. I was wondering if u could do a video about breaking in harder shanks

[@andreawallenberger2668]

Josephine, where can dancers find/who sells a range of different "toe sleeves"? I imagine big toes, middle toes etc are different sizes ... where can we buy what might work for each of us, our different needs?

[@daisyeller3321]

I have really wide feet and I don't know what brand to use, do you have a brand that you think might work.

[@emilyjackson]

will you be coming to the raleigh, NC area anytime soon? I’m in suffolk solos at the moment but they’re pulling my feet back which is making it very hard for me to get on my box. My teacher had me try on her old pair of freeds to show me what a pointe shoe is supposed to feel like and it was perfect! I was going over my box so easily and it was actually supporting me (unlike the suffolks) but i need help finding a better fit for me.

[@alyssaalbelar8367]

Hi! I've gotten my first pair of pointe shoes and I'm so excited to use them. I originally had the Grishko Nova Pros with a medium shank but I felt that the shank was way too hard and I couldn't go through demi-pointe when breaking them in so I went back to the store for a softer shank and was fitted in a Grishko 2007 Pro flex. It was a different person fitting at the store this time and I was just a bit curious as to if this was the right thing to do. I was just a bit worried that I did the wrong thing and wondering if the Pro flex has a big difference compared to the nova.

[@jayne5063]

I have the 2007 pro!

[@ateneadiaz3529]

Hey I have a big toe too and I use Russian pointe they feel good but I want to try a different pair what other brand of pointe shoes would you recommend. This is second year doing pointe and my third pair I have used the exact same shoe just bigger sizes. My first year en pointe I hurt my right ankle we have been trying to reach the doctor but they haven't answered it hurts really bad what can I do to make it heal.

[@skylarrhone8514]

Hi Josephine I love your videos I watched a lot of them recently and got my first pair of point shoes today. I saw that when you fit someone for their first pair you usually start with a soft shank. When I went to my fitting I was surprised that the lady didn't ask me to point my foot or tendu at all then gave me a shoe Wich felt like it had a pretty hard shank and don't think my feet are abnormally flexible is that weird? When I put the shoe on it was fine and I could easily get onto the box I tried togomon Demi pointe in them and it was really hard to but everything else is fine. I will have my first class with them on wed. Sorry for making this so long I was just wondering if it was weird to get a hard shank with out having super flexible feet for a first pair.

[@siennahughes8807]

What happens if all your toes curl over and if you have a bump on your pinky toe side of your feet? Is it hard to go on pointe

[@amelia-ft7xe]

should you be able to go through demi pointe in pointe shoes? i just got my first pair and i can't and i don't know if i should be concerned or not.

[@rebekkalili296]

Yes, you should. That is not good. Maybe the vamp is too long for your toes, or the shank is too hard?

[@annawessman4029]

Well fitted! :)

[@amyallison3787]

Getting fitted for my first pair hopefully Monday!! My first toe is longest except when I have my feet planted flat and weight more forward in my foot. I know my second toe got bruised in sneakers when I was really active playing tennis. Curious what you’d recommend?

[@katiewengerd7748]

I need advice! I got pointe shoes about a year ago and my right big toe always hurts without fail! I always thought it was an in grown toe nail as I have a bad habit of cutting my nails too short but it’s been some time since I’ve done that and wouldn’t my left big toe hurt as well? It makes it so so hard to dance on my right foot do you think a toe cap would do the trick or new shoes?

[@athenaspencer4684]

❤❤❤

[@jeannefugina4901]

I have a problem where when I'm en pointe there is a constant pain with a lot of pressure on my big toe but it's only on the left side and I've tried double pads but that doesnt seem to work either and I've also tried spacers but it did not help much only a little bit better I also have extremely crooked toes that go many different ways if you can please address something I can do for it in your next video that would be AMAZING

[@KiraHelenRose]

You may have compressible feet which is leading to sinking. The foot that is sinking most may either be more compressible than the other foot, narrower than the other foot, or it might be your weaker foot which makes staying lifted more difficult. I have a similar issue. My right foot is all three (narrower, more compressible, and the weaker foot). I've had to get creative with multiple toe spacers to widen my feet and reduce compression (as well as reducing the tendon snapping that comes from my compression). I use three layers of Nexcare foam tape over my big toes. It still doesn't fully alleviate the problem. I am hoping to find a better fitting pair at my next refit. Another option that Josephine mentioned in an older video is 3/4 shanks. They can help you stay more lifted if you tend to sink.

[@jamielawson3261]

Hey Josephine! I have weird feet I was wondering if you could help me. I have long skinny feet that are thin. The thing is none of the shoes have formed to my arch and I was wondering if you had any suggestions for me. Whether it is a brand or not I hope you see this! It is my second year en pointe. #thepointeshop

[@LivJordaneq]

If she is getting her first pair of pointes, has she ever danced in pointe shoes before?

[@kathleenmayorga822]

What Shoe is that

[@kaylakuhnwald1]

My niece just got her first pair and her big toe is smaller then her second and third toe and shes been having pain and wants to not dance anymore because of it... is there anything you recommend so she can keep doing what she lives

[@Hiddennism]

You can try gel big toe padding. I also have the same problem and they give the illusion your big toe is the same length of your second and thrid toe so it doesn't hurt. Plus it gives cushion for the big toe!

[@Hiddennism]

Also, they're usually called toe caps :)

[@avahawes8484]

I feel that where I get fitted for my pointe shoes they don’t look and the shape of your toes or foot, they just look a the flexiblity so I feel like a never get the right shoes...

[@chelisue]

My daughter calls it her power toe

[@michaelhband]

👍👍👍❤❤❤

[@caracannon6138]

Does anyone have any tips or good exercises for a beginner (i got my first pair today) on pointe (how to strengthen and roll through hard shoes)? I just got my shoes today and i will be starting classes on Tuesday, and I have Capizio Contemporas (i wear a cozy toe toepad right now). I have found that the heel is a little big and falls off, and i don't know what to do about a hot spot that i have on the corner of my big toe without adding more toe padding. Thanks!

[@glossygirl2080]

Cara Cannon Congrats on getting en pointe!! I would recommend going to Kathryn Morgans channel, she has so many great beginners classes, strengthening exercises, and advice for us ballet dancers. For the baggy heel part, if your box and vamp and everything fits then watch Tips and Tricks by Kathryn Morgan where she’ll tell you how to sew along the side of your shoes and pull it like a drawstring and tighten the back up. Let me know if this helps!

[@glossygirl2080]

Cara Cannon Also, for the hard box, if you can’t roll through, get up on pointe, it’s too painful, etc. you might want to try a softer box and if you can afford buying whole new shoes, maybe try selling your current ones on eBay, posh mark, mercari or just look for ways to soften it up

[@caracannon6138]

@@glossygirl2080 Thanks!! I found some good exercises on her channel, and her hack fixed the sides and heel of my shoes. I trying to break my shoes in a little, and it had gotten a little better, so I am hoping that I wont have to get new shoes, but if I do, i will definitely use your advice! Thanks!

[@JillyMae89]

Anyone else looking in the mirror and trying to find the camera? Where is it?? 🤣

[@Avery.51410]

Hmmm i get so jealose looking at the chatt seing hoe mych people already got en pointe, lol 😂