Pointe Shoe Tips & Tricks | Kathryn Morgan

[@Invisiblei]

Haven't danced a day in my life and I still click on these videos so fast! 😂🤦🏻‍♀️ Love learning about what you guys go through as ballet dancers.

[@em8559]

Yes, me to! 😂

[@hawayakubu8360]

Lydia Glinski we need more people like you in the world! People can be so rude to dancers and are like "ballet isn't hard" or "don't your toe nails fall off"

[@mic1541]

oh boy its a lot lemme tell ya

[@tameralhmaidh6305]

invisible i love

[@allisonward958]

Same

[@mayakling4291]

All of the girls in my class ask me to sew their pointe shoes because they don't really know how to sew anything, none of them know that your videos are the secret to my "success"

[@arielburrow9433]

Maya Kling tell them!! Hold your sisters up. You're in this together!

[@marissasmull2062]

Just send them the link 😂😂

[@zoegonzalez7445]

You should sell sewing your point shoes for like 10 bucks or something

[@June.Ardito]

Maya Kling LMAOOO 🤣

[@marionbennetts4202]

Maya i know the feeling. i do classes with them and old shoes to practice.its the same with basic sequins etc!

[@autumncook301]

I had a ballet teacher back in the day and she gave me a neat tip that still works to this day to keep ribbons /elastics sewn in place longer and that is to sew with dental floss rather than thread the stickiness will keep ribbons/elastics more secure 😊🌈

[@jenya2536]

When ever I watch pointe shoes videos I constantly see people saying things like "I am to old to be a dancer" it's to late for me" or " I can't I am chubby" I just came here to tell you guys YOU ARE NOT TO OLD or CHUBBY or whatever. It's never to late. Follow you're dreams. Whatever or whoever try's to stop you ignore it. I know one of my dreams is to go en pointe. What's yours? Work hard and achieve, good luck. 💓

[@hhutt6224]

Jenna I'm 43 years old and just started pointe last September! I take 3 ballet classes a week and get excited every time I put my pointe shoes on! Lol. Your right! Your never too old to achieve something you really want!

[@azurthra]

I started last year en pointe. I’m 35 years old and 200 pounds. I’m doing what I love.

[@JustMe-cg9si]

Jenya you’re an amazing person❤️

[@robinbird6279]

I am so happy to hear you say that, as an adult and it is my dream to get back to dancing now that I am an empty nester! I love ballet!

[@kxrlie7892]

I started pointe work a year ago (im 13 now) and it’s so much fun, but requires a lot of effort. Good luck!

[@Mia-pc5lt]

I AM GETTING MY POINTE SHOES TOMORROW AND I AM SO NERVOUS BUT THIS IS HELPING ME A LOT!!!!!!!♥️

[@kellym587]

"Little Dolly Dinkle"?!?! HAHAHAHA.. so funny and cute.. Also, your editing is hilarious and on pointe (pun intended) ;) in this video!

[@jillianb2631]

The look on her face when she pulled out the lighter!! XD HILARIOUS!!!

[@kathryn_morgan]

Hahaha thank you. :)

[@manga12]

shes like yea thats that stuff a flamethrower, and the angry face banging the shoes priceless

[@jillianb2631]

**re-watches **1:13** - **1:20** repeatedly just to make herself fall out of her chair laughing**

[@lojainnasr3574]

Omg lol!!! XD

[@poolahpot]

Very few people in the world have the gift of Teaching. You have this gift ❤️

[@jillianb2631]

Multitasking for me is watching this video while accessorizing my new dance journal! Thank for the great advice, Katie! This is my sixth year on pointe but would have been saved a lot of trouble if I'd known this stuff before!!

[@kathryn_morgan]

Awww thank you Jillian! And I understand - this is the stuff I wish I had known when I was younger, too! This is me catering to my clueless 12-year-old self. :)

[@ali-zd7ww]

I just did your beginner pointe class yesterday! Why is your timing sooo good 😂

[@kathryn_morgan]

Thank you!

[@antonellac24]

Kathryn Morgan I just did pointe class today

[@ali-zd7ww]

Kathryn Morgan *faints*

[@nicolechampeau8432]

You always have such pretty nails, please to a nail care video!

[@kathryn_morgan]

Thank you!

[@oliviasbowsmore686]

Thanks for all the tips. I am obsessed with your videos. love you.

[@kathryn_morgan]

Thank you!

[@trishalee7535]

Thank you so much for this! I’m getting my very first pair of pointe shoes tomorrow and this makes me so much more comfortable and much more excited!

[@silviatucciarone3369]

I'm not even a dancer and I have never been into ballet but these videos are really making me passionate about it! Also, this one is definitively one of my favourite!!

[@AlwaysKaylan]

Thank you for making that note for beginners in the beginning! 💜

[@emmashanelife]

Thank you so much for letting beginners know what to/not to do.

[@alexadollar601]

Please, please, please do an updated leotard and dancewear organization video. Since that was one of your very first videos I wanted to see what your collection looks like now, ILYSM!!!!!!!!

[@alanahartoonian625]

OMG HEY ALEXA ITS ALANA

[@EM-ox7tk]

"Little Dolly Dinkle" HAHAHA that was great

[@cheyenne6970]

I'm SO excited 😃!! I've been in pre-pointe class for a year and in September, I will be starting POINTE class!! Since I found out I have been binge watching your videos and taking a whole lot of notes! Thank you for being there to help me start my pointe journey!

[@smudgeit]

I have the same pointe shoes I love them but sewing the elastic on these pointe shoes is hard because of the leather heal backer... I'm so glad u said about the 3quater shanking and that ... I see all these videos and cringe because they never explain the problem with doing that like u just did..

[@kathryn_morgan]

Yes! I cringe as well. Newbie's on pointe shouldn't be doing all that!

[@sofiagrabenwarter1853]

Is it better as a beginner to use regular ribons for more support or does it make no diffrence?

[@DORAMARIE]

I am brand new adult on pointe shoes. Thank you for your help! Much appreciated.

[@bondhetg]

Thank you Kathryn! I had such difficulty sewing the elastics on the eurostretch until I saw this video!

[@allisonhowell4044]

I have just started Pointe and this is very very helpful since I'm a beginner. Could you do a video on how to improve your arches, my arches are pretty bad and I'm having trouble going on Pointe because of it.

[@leahchapman3732]

Oh my gosh, I am so excited for you to come to my ballet school!!! I am dying!!! I love you so much you are my inspiration! And I am just going on Demi pointe, but is still need to get them😁

[@nefertitijones7869]

Thank you for this wonderful video I got my pointe shoes 3 weeks ago and it is my 4th time and i did nothing but sew them i did your sewing i lityle bit i was difficult at first but when i keep going it was so easy wost of my school have there my sew them but i sewd my own and worked! my mom was not so sure but when i was finish she was shock i did sew one of my ribbons tigher cuase it got lose i did on pointe only three times but it was a breeze so thank you for the great video 💖😍😁

[@Killa.anyiah]

I just got my new point shoes to day!!!❤️

[@leila8458]

Congrats! How are they working out?

[@jayne5063]

Are u a professional dancer? Also I just got my first pair of pointe shoes and so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@stassielevyn5464]

I love the Bloch pointe shoes, they are really comfortable, easy to dance in and they don't hurt when I pointe of course

[@toniisaacson6282]

Really good to hear you talking to beginner dancers. With the availability of information, SOOOOO many people would hack their first pair to death thinking they were doing the right thing. When I was dancing, strong ankles were such a focus that no-one even considered taking tap classes (which need loose ankles apparently) so an unsupportive first pair of pointe shoes would be so counterproductive.

[@jennyrules1504]

I'm 26 and got my first pair of pointe shoes which are gaynor mindens and learning pre pointe, thank you for this video.

[@emmaernesaks776]

You saved my life! I love your videos💗

[@danicajvv]

Katie, THANK YOU! You had me in laughing in tears. Thank you dearly for all your kind and generous help in your videos. As a philosophy PhD, I tend to research everything, and ended up feeling like I'd gone insane with all the different techniques! Thank you for clearing it all up.

[@kathryn_morgan]

Haha thank you! So glad this helped! Yes- there are SO many crazy things people do to their shoes and I've seen a lot lately. I was fed up with all of the 12 year olds killing their shoes before they even put them on!

[@jasminewat2662]

Kathryn Morgan So true!

[@AriRHen]

Hi Kathryn, did you keep a dance journal when you were younger? I was thinking of starting one and wondered if maybe you could do a video of how you would keep one, e.g. how you would lay it out, what you would note down etc

[@kiara5984]

OMG thank you so much I'm a beginner and this really helped me

[@moongirl-7584]

My pointe shoe mods: Actual mods: -Step on the box -find where my ankle is and bend it there for a better arch -draw a small line in the starting ribbon because I always forget when I’m tying them Breaking in: -I hit them against each other to get out the sound Sewing: -criss cross elastics -normal ribbons -all sewn just on the canvas layer so there are not strings shining through -use a clip thing to separate satin from canvas ;)

[@mspimentela]

You are an angel, Kathryn!! Thank you for this video! My 9 years old daughter will appreciate it since she began pointe shoe classes for the summer intensive. By the way, your earrings are very pretty! :-)

[@mimiduquette5179]

How I wish my teachers would've been half as knowledgeable as you are, Katie, when I was studying ballet over 30 years ago!! My pointe shoes always felt like foreign objects to me and hurt terribly when I tried doing steps like echappes and others! I wasn't too bad a ballet dancer, until I put my pointe shoes on...then, it became a whole new ballgame for me!! I have a long, flat foot with long toes and had to settle for going to the one dance store available to me for pointe shoes in my city! So glad you're here for this generation of dancers so that fewer of them have to experience what I did !! Kudos to you, and a very Merry Christmas!

[@mimiduquette5179]

P.S. Hadn't heard anyone mention Little Dolly Dinkle since my Mom was alive!! You're a stitch, Katie!

[@nicolaj3264]

Would you be able to do an advanced follow along ab workout video? Thank you so much for all these videos! They are super helpful! 💕

[@Erika-cw4lk]

The intro is amazing the part with the lighter😂😂😂😂thanks so much was wondering I have had my pointe goes for awhile (not dead though) should I invest in some jet glue? Do you think it is worth buying/using?

[@kathryn_morgan]

Haha thank you! As to the jet glue - if you feel that your shoes need stronger tips, then it might be worth getting. Do your pointe shoes feel really soft in the toes? Glue can help that. Be careful though - start small! A little goes a long way!

[@Erika-cw4lk]

thank you so much for replying

[@MissMashaNatasha]

Hello Kathryn, could you please do a video on pull up? No matter how hard I try my weight keeps going back to my heels and I get very frustrated with myself (my teacher gets frustrated too, even though she doesn't explain pull up at all). This would be soooo helpful. Thanks in advance xoxo

[@anjahjelle9379]

I just used your inner liner X trick ( hope that made sense ) because I ordered my shoes my normal size then realized that my feet had grown to much for the size, and that trick helped the size go up 1/4 in. Thanks

[@laylee_3396]

Hi! I was wondering if you could do an updated version on ankle strengthening and strength for pointe

[@paigetedesche8006]

I use those ribbons and I love them. These r great tips. Thanks!

[@debbiewharton5313]

Thank you, this helped a lot, definitely recommend this

[@nikkimirhosseyni9535]

I did dance in high school and I want to go to my local dance studio and do beginner ballet. (In general) Would that still enable me to work my way to going en pointe? Or in adult beginner do teachers typically just kind of keep you in slippers? The studio I would go to would not be a ballet studio.

[@amandanance919]

From what I've seen of the adult ballet community on Instagram, you can get en pointe as an adult, and many people do. I think it's just based on the teacher, but do tell your teacher(s) that you're interested doing pointe.

[@bellarotker7160]

That depends on you, your teacher, and your studio

[@jennyrules1504]

I'm 26, and learning pre pointe with pointe show at the moment all because adults at our studio wanted to do ballet exams.

[@glauciamsq]

Point shoes used to be second nature for me, but I quit dancing for 5 years to go to college and tomorrow is my first point shoes class after, well, 5 years. So I'm feeling new to this all over again kkkkkkkk bought shoes with more support than my old ones and am going to work on my ankle strenght...

[@milliexox5977]

So helpful! Thank you!! I've recently been fitted the bloch stretch and i LOVE them! i feel like a completely different dancer soooooooo happy i found them!! x

[@strawberry1025]

Lovely video, thanks Katie, and the sound is so much better.:]

[@ym_yongmai]

Thank you so much. This is going to be very helpful when I got my pointe shoes!

[@xafir2816]

Just because I used to think that I‘d never get on pointe: Don’t give up! I took ballett for 2 months but because I am very sportactive in many sports, I was able to build up strength in my feet quickly. An Even though I Started so late I never had problems! :)

[@veslemymoekyllingstad8651]

Im a biginer so Im really happy for what you said in the start cuz i was like flipped out when i was seeng that they was cutting their point shoes

[@elisakotilainen5089]

Hi Katie! This video is helpful and also hilarious😂 Could you do a rest day video? Like there would be a little workout and tendus, plies, if you know what I mean?

[@lillythai7939]

Oh my gosh the "flamethrower" 😂😂

[@kirstynbathurts6802]

youre by far my favorite dance youtuber

[@kristiLB93]

I agree with your philosophy of minimalism for pointe shoes especially for the less advanced student. I'm curious though, have you ever darned your shoes? i never did and no one I danced with - back in the day- did. But my niece and many of the students at her school do and I suspect it comes from following many professional dancers such as Joy Womack (whom I LOVE) and others. How does it make a difference for the dancer? Especially for dancers that are not truly advanced and are working with feet that are not a highly arched? Great video as always!

[@michellenielsen3479]

i just gott my first pair and i dont need to break them in at all. they feel great

[@annakern7329]

Iridescent YT uhhh I thought you had to break in all and every new pointe shoes that you get..... Even if it does feel good? My friend broke her ankle cause she dancing in shoes that werent broken in.... Unless your teacher told you otherwise you probably should break them in

[@meghanhardin6601]

I just got my pointe shoes! I got a Bloch Balance European, size 4! I tried on a size 3.5, so we had to order a new pair that was big enough for me to grow into them. They should be at the studio when we get back from break.

[@AquaFrangi]

-Meghan- I started with the same shoes! I loved them so much, they did get sort of squeaky when I was moving through Demi pointe to pointe towards the end of their life, but I still loved the shoe anyway. I don’t particularly like my current pair, but I have a different style shoe now

[@farrellbestars914]

My dance teacher taught me that if your shoes are dying use nail glue to give them a longer life and strengthen them for a little bit longer and it works REALLY well

[@jacindahackett9872]

I wear the exact same shoes as you! I love them so much

[@hannahleigh1219]

Hey Katie I was told that dancers in companies would take a bucket and fill it with water and ice and then put their feet in. Do they do that to stop the swelling in their feet and ankles?

[@jillianb2631]

Yup! After a hard day of dancing in pointe shoes, an ice bucket does *wonders* for your calves/feet!!!

[@SarahArnoldTheAccidentalArtist]

I do that even as a ballet teacher! After dancing professionally and teaching for so many years, my feet are prone to plantar fasciitis. Works wonders because the cold water goes in between all the toe joints, surrounds your ankles etc. More than an ice pack could do!

[@margotflynn1591]

omg dying over the dolly dinkle comment ...too funny

[@jasminewat2662]

Yes thank you so much!! I am trying so hard to work on to pointexxx

[@gracerothmeyer1374]

So helpful from a advanced dancer

[@alyssatony3701]

I wish everyone could see this video

[@orglober1234]

Thank you so much! ! ! They turned out perfect!!!!

[@julianash5500]

I needed to jet glue my fist pair. My teacher recommended I do it before we started the first Barre class but I waited a class or two to get the feeling for what I needed first. I'm still on my first pair since September but I dry them out really well after every class, and add jet glue. The class is also only 45 minutes

[@sterrebleumink2043]

Love this video and the editing!😍 I have a question; last I was taking pictures in the grass on pointe. But now there are many green grass stains on my pointes! Do you maybe know how to get rid of all the green spots? 😕😅

[@EmmaRypka]

My first pair of shoes were the Suffolk spotlights, which come with 3-quarter shanks already done and I still use 3-quarter shanks in my shoes with the Suffolk sonnets which also have that done already. The spotlights used to be the most popular beginner shoe in our studio, although now that is the block Hannah’s. Just putting that out there

[@danibarlu8978]

I'm italian dancer, and your video is very important for me. Thank you💗

[@devonmarchant1131]

Hi Katie! Thank you so much for this video! If my shanks twist a little off my heel, would you recommend three-quartering the them or cutting the shank in half?

[@nicolechampeau8432]

Devon Marchant Sounds like they might be too big/wide, make sure they fit correctly first. Once you've made sure of that, don't cut off any more of the shank than you need to. Cut off a little, try it out, a little more...until you get it just right, like Goldilocks.

[@claredecker9636]

Hi Katie! This video was soooo helpful! Your videos have improved my dancing so much and you're an inspiration! I was wondering if you had any tips for how to balance pirouettes (on or off pointe). In my pirouettes I tend to look like the leaning tower of pizza! But I have trouble correcting it because it is very difficulty to counter balance while turning. A video or any response would be GREATLY appreciated! Thank you! ❤

[@jennak4210]

Hey Katie!! I was wondering if you could make a video and give some tips on "Standing out in master classes"? I'll be taking several this summer.. and I'd really like to be noticed! Thanks so much!'

[@BudgetingwithEmilia]

Jenna K I think she has one on her channel!

[@jennak4210]

Emilia Curran Do you know which video? I must have missed that one. Thank you!

[@BudgetingwithEmilia]

Jenna K she has some older videos called "Ballet summer course survival guide" and another called "audition advice for dancers" I think if you type in summer intensives into the search on her channel you can find some good ones. Of course not specifically for master classes, but the tips have helped me for my auditions!

[@jennak4210]

Emilia Curran Thanks so much! I'll make sure to find those :)

[@BookishLish]

In terms of thick thread, I use quilting thread. You can get a huge spool for cheap at a craft store and it’s super thick!

[@saraha8219]

Adult beginner here; I can't tell you how helpful your videos are; especially the workout videos that I can do at home to make up for my limited class time ^^; I'm a looong ways away from getting en pointe but I couldn't help but notice that your feet look a lot like mine: wide, kinda halfway between "greek" and "giselle" toe shape, high arch but relatively low instep. Those Bloch Eurostretch shoes are gorgeous, but they seem to be mainly for advanced dancers. May I ask what other brands you've used, especially when you were just starting, and how they worked for you? Also, how do you deal with that slightly longer second toe?

[@kailajo1322]

Hi Katie! You seem to have similar feet to mine.... wide toes, thin heals! I'm having issues with my pointe shoes(same issue for the last 3 pair🙄) I get them, I love them, I break them in and they feel too big..?! What kind of pointe shoes are great for wide but compressible feet?

[@caproductions5712]

Your a really good teacher

[@yangqiuyi]

Hey! I just watched your video on the tricks and was wondering what you meant when you were finishing off the elastics. Do I sew through the drawstring to secure the knot? 😁😁😁

[@AlexanderKedrov]

Very interesting! You may want to try Siberian Swan. No need to break in, no "jet glue", no mesh elastics, no ribbons are needed. Everything is included.

[@chloedavis704]

Omg I love your tips!

[@erinmccarthy9403]

:o I have that same barre as you at home!! Lol I just realized that same barre is in the background in all of your videos yet I just noticed it

[@elfanbinks3374]

Hi Katie, have you tried the PerfectFit Pointe Shoe Inserts? I saw it on Instagram that the girls from NYCB tried these so I was wondering if you tried them too and if so, what do you think of it? Thanks, Jane :)

[@kalischroeder2952]

This was SO helpful!!!! Thank you!!!!

[@fatmahisham8613]

You should do five more pointe shoe hacks please!!!!!!!!!!

[@cgdooling]

Do you think you would consider doing an adagio combination video? I struggle with adagio and balancing while doing adagio in ballet class. Thanks!!! Always love your videos by the way!💗😊

[@carmeladioko6772]

HAHAHAHHAHA KATIE YOURE SO FUNNY I loved this video!!!

[@katcoyne]

I go on pointe tomorrow 😊 wish me luck

[@emilykirkby9855]

Hi I know you may not know then answer to this as I don't know if you where glasses. I am currently on grade 4 ballet and have to wear glasses full time. My teacher wants to get me into higher grades (inter foundation) but I would like to know whether wearing glasses would make me not as able to do some stuff, more pirouettes etc. Thank you! :)

[@hawayakubu8360]

Emily Kirkby I would advise to get contact lenzes. They are far more efficient. I had glasses, and I had loads of trouble spotting. Lenzes have helped with that alot.

[@hannahnikolaev5685]

Emily Kirkby I wore glasses for about two years after going en pointe and found myself subconsciously not snapping my head during spots, not turning as well etc. I would wear contacts for performances only (that was because it looked weird to be a party boy in nutcracker with hot pink plastic glasses 😂) and I did have double getting them in and t asking them out for a while. Eventually, I was able to do this somewhat smoothly, and also just wanted to start wearing contacts full time because I didn’t like the way they looked. Before this I was nervous about not being able to advance because one of the requirements for moving up to the next level was to be able to do a consistent double pirouette. The first time I came to class wearing contacts I did three triple pirouettes as well as generally felt more comfortable using my head, turning, doing cambre etc. I’m not saying I was less capable with glasses, I’m simply stating my experience. I hope this helps a little!

[@hannahnikolaev5685]

Also I’m well aware this is a very old post but I hope that it can help others too.

[@harleyquinn9682]

I'm on the bus watching this and the little dolly dinkle bit made me choke with laughter! Speaking of trial and error, I shellac my pointe shoes. once, I put them in the oven and they burned! My brand new $93 Grishkos....... That was interesting to explain to my mother!

[@DancewithmaryNYC]

Great video, really good tips 😊

[@trinityle._.9012]

I love your videos they seem so helpful to me as a young dancer en pointe. There is ONE thing that makes me die during pointe class. I've had many problems with the heel of my pointe shoes. They have been like blistering me and it burns so much and I have no idea on what to do about my heel my teacher says use rosin but rosin isn't as affordable to me but please do a video on pointe shoe heel hacks thank you wow this was really long lol anyways THANK YOU ❤️

[@BlondVlogs]

For me the biggest pointe shoe problem is standing flat. En pointe everything is fine but when I go down the small elastic that is inside and around the shoe that you tie in front hurts at my achillies. I can't make it any looser because otherwise it sits shitty en pointe but it really cuts deep into the skin at the back. Does someone have any tips for that? (Note: we all wear the same balletshoes at our school so unfortunately I can't swich brand. They're Blochs and I use the same elastics Katie uses but from bloch themselve and satin ribbons with a tiny piece of elastic, also from Bloch.)

[@leeannk3052]

Polly Bouten you can't switch brands? Ah. I'm sorry.

[@bellarotker7160]

Try elastic ribbons- works like a charm!

[@megangarcia6991]

Appreciate all your tips and tricks! Quick q though: if youre a professional dancer, how do you have time to make and edit these videos? Genuine q.

[@lojainnasr3574]

Is cutting the inner lining ok if you'll be wearing those same shoes when your feet are no longer swollen?

[@cf8595]

Cute edits! Your videos are looking great.

[@timothyswan567]

hahaha!!!! this is my favorite video in the world... yassssssssssssssssssssssssssss Queen work

[@taylorm9973]

Great video!

[@petrishalee2315]

I use the same shoes as you!!

[@chloef930]

I LOVE THIS SO MUCH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@kathymyers7279]

those are such beautiful shoes.

[@elenayoung9235]

Hey Katie can you do a ballet commentary on Don Quixote series?I would love to see that❤️❤️❤️