Pointe Shoes 101 | Kathryn Morgan

Pointe Shoes 101 | Kathryn Morgan
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Today I give you all my tips for pointe shoes. Everything from fitting and sizing to ribbons and elastic to tricks for swollen feet! Ballet is hard enough, so I hope this helps you moving forward in your career as a dancer!
Pointe Shoe Tips & Tricks: • Pointe Shoe Tips & Tri...
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I am soloist with Miami City Ballet a former soloist with the New York City Ballet. When I was a young student, I was always looking for insights into the ballet world and how to improve my dancing as well as beauty and lifestyle tips. Now that I am a professional, it is my turn to share.
On my channel I make ballet, beauty, and lifestyle videos for everyone of all ages. My goal is help dancers improve and achieve their dreams as well as open up the ballet world to non dancers. You will see many different kinds of how-to videos here including makeup, hair, ballet workouts and exercises, Q and A sessions, lifestyle advice, and DIY on this channel. I hope you find all of my videos helpful!
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[@emmawilding886]

my pointe shoe horror story: my first pointe shoes were 3 sizes too small and 4 sizes too narrow. my feet literally bulged out of them. my toes were always purple when i too them off and numb and i couldn't balance at all because my toes were scrunched to fit.i got a new pair 3 weeks later and my fitter told me that actually the other shop had sold me a model that had be recalled and haven't been sold in the last 3 years!

[@kathryn_morgan]

Ouch! That's awful!

[@riozavala9237]

Emma Wilding that’s annoying

[@trishalee7535]

Oh my gosh that’s horrible!

[@wassuhmufusaLOL]

lmao

[@xxcherii_8549]

looks like the fitter just wanted to sell the shoes and not worry about if it fit u or not 😒

[@alliefilby-mcintosh1466]

Would love a video about how to look after your feet/feet hygiene as a dancer. I've just started en pointe and I can't work out how to cut my toenails short enough so that they don't crack/hurt with the pressure of my shoes, but long enough so I don't get ingrown toenails!!!

[@laurel6783]

I would love to have a video like that!

[@sammiepitcher4175]

Place your finger on the top of your toes and if your toe nail hits it even by the smallest hit they need to be cut

[@kiayadryden3597]

Same issue here

[@user-mt5ky6uv7e]

Get your shoes fitted on a warm afternoon, not in the morning because then when your feet swell up they won't be too small.

[@kathryn_morgan]

Smart!

[@kiayadryden3597]

Lol

[@tiffanywakeman5022]

Can you give pointe shoe tips and tricks for flat footed dancers? Are there pro's who are flat footed but were able to get their foot more flexible?

[@jenriv89]

Tiffany Wakeman yeeeessss! I consign this

[@AlleyBetwixt]

I've always wondered about this too. I have flexible flat feet, but they're also very small. Getting the right fit with pointe shoes always felt impossible to me.

[@AllegroFitnessLondon]

For me I also needed treatment before I could go en pointe, because the danger was with damaging my ankles or knees through being to weak and testing/over compensating. What worked for me was 1. getting some specialised insoles for day to day walking and 2. really focusing on walking properly, ie. distributing the weight evenly around my foot. The physio said to imagine 3 points (one at the ball under the big tow, one diretctly opposite near the little toe and one at the heel) and i need to distribute my weight as evenly as possible throughout those 3 points when using my feet

[@mollyschroeder7056]

I feel. I actually can't ever go en pointe because my feet are so flat and weak, at least that was what I was told at age 13, when I was supposed to get pointe shoes. I worked my feet a lot with bands and other exercises, but I never got to a point where my teacher felt it was safe for me.

[@Tigerheiress]

Tiffany Wakeman just bend your shoe in half to put an arch in it. then it looks good and you can get up easier

[@carinicole6131]

Please make a video about bruised toenails/toenails falling off and how to deal with it!

[@elden-brady]

Cari Nicole YESSSSS

[@shannonlynne3641]

I wear Bloch European Balance, and my first pair the shank wore out within two months of one 30-minute class a week. Being my first pair I didn't know and my teacher never said u needed new ones. It was when we got a new teacher that I was told to get new ones, and I wasn't even allowed to wear my old ones because they were too dangerous. I now have the strong version of the European Balance. My first ribbons were the stretchy ones but I always tied those too tight so I switched to the ones that have the elastic partway through and I love them SO much more. Plus, I have a clean line of satin coming from the pointe shoe instead of the dull stretchy material.

[@jim06190]

Same! Currently on my first pair of shoes (European balance) and shank is already soft within the month. I have a 45 minute class once a week buts that’s it. Sucks a bit more cause I had to get two pairs, one a x4 width and one a x3 width. Now my parents are going to be paying $350 every few months for both pairs.

[@strawberry1025]

I am now find myself watching one of your videos every day. I danced ballet for nine years many moons ago and I loved it. I have long term illness now but watching your wonderful videos makes my heart dance again. :]

[@lucy2steele]

on an unrelated topic, I love the make-up look you've been rocking!

[@kathryn_morgan]

Thank you!

[@TheJunaja]

what am I doing here? I don't do Ballet...

[@jenriv89]

shiny_bes same but the videos are great anyway

[@rica_ria]

shiny_bes same but it's still interesting

[@werelemur1138]

Same. (I'm a writer, so I can always say it's research for a possible future story.)

[@Rachel-wz1qm]

Same!

[@Andibelle1221]

Same here....my last ballet class was in 1998.

[@niyanta2000]

Yay, thank you! A professional opinion is so appreciated on such a topic. Young girls everywhere must be chanting hallelujah! 🙌 hahaha, thank you!

[@snickerdoodle7305]

Thank you so much, Katherine!! I got fitted last Tuesday and I noticed that the shank stopped in the middle of my heel. I was worried that it wasn't the right shoe for my foot, but coming from a professional that it is supposed to do that, IS A LIFESAVER!! Thank you

[@theodoramanolakou2750]

Katie, it would be great if you did a how to sew point shoes video...!!! And maybe a video about ballet body...

[@jessicadrennan1123]

OMGGGG I JUST GOT MY FIRST POINTE SHOES AND IM GETTING THEM APPROVED TOMORROW IN CLASS SO I CAN SEW THEM AND BREAK THEM IN AND IM SO EXCITED BC IVE HAD TO WAIT FOUR DAYS TO WEAR THEM AGAINNNN SINCE BEING FITTED

[@milf_bokuto8276]

I have really stubby toes, and I own Bloch European Balance Pointe shoes, they fit really well. It only started to suck when I broke my left foot, my ankle weakened, and I was the one of last in my level to go on Pointe again. My second toe grew longer than my big toe, and toe spacers are a big burden. This is a great video and I have done so much better with my Pointe shoes, both en Pointe, and just taking care of them. ❤

[@elizabethann5308]

I have long feet with long toes and a very high arches. My first Pointe shoes were Capezio glisse. I wear them with a very thick gel toe pad. I have zero pain with them. I love them still many years later. I got refitted at a different store 2 years later and they fitted me in grishko 2007. Those look absolutely gorgeous on my feet but they give me blisters and are painful in my toe nails. If I tape my toes with good tape I don't get blisters. But also they are Way to hard for me even in super soft strength. I was most recently fitted in Gaynor Mindens 4 box medium tapered extra flex shank. These the best feeling for me. I do not need an extra toe pad. They are the best look and feel for me with a pre arched shoe. I could wear a hard shank. In traditional Pointe shoes I prefer a flexible shank with hard box so my arch is hugged and visible but I am not too far over my box causing me to fall forward

[@hallihallaxx1640]

Elizabeth Cheatwood same

[@846cookie]

I had the same issues with the 2007s. I had the novas for years before that and then tried the 2007s since they are supposedly made similarly, but the 2007s were so much more painful and harder to balance in I found. Back to novas very quickly after that.

[@jangeltrain]

I find "super soft" in Grishkos might as well be Super Strong. They have a new option called Proflex which is much softer and easier to bend!

[@chungeening4025]

jangeltrain Proflexes are really comfortable for me! But now I wear Pros because by dance store doesn't carry Proflexes anymore :(

[@adri8062]

I've never had blisters with the Russians and the Blochs that I've worn in the past. What do you think about Grishko 2007s? Do you think they're known for blisters?

[@hay_bail1]

I know that this may be silly but, Can you do a video on bourres?

[@sofiagabaldon4981]

Haley A dude I know, bourres seem so simple but they kind of kill me

[@julia9818]

I think she already did one!

[@gigi_dancer_ballet2119]

Haley A ,that's not silly at all

[@krrrzzzzzz]

Grishkos have super soft-super hard shanks, x - xxxxx width. You can get them customised to be with or without drawstring, customised Vamp length, customised heel length AND you can get vegan pointe shoes. They also have that pro flex sole. They're my favourite :)!!

[@stephiehellyeah2557]

Thinking back to my first points and fitting. It was terrible. They only had capezios and blochs. Bloch is what I ended up with but my long toes and wide metarsels were still cramped. Plus, super high arches! Lol. I want to dance ballet again and eventually get back en pointe! Thanks Kathryn! ❤️

[@tatianaangelica46]

Where my Bloch squad at ??

[@shayjasmine_xx8684]

tatiana sierra here

[@kennaturner9821]

tatiana sierra here

[@hihigh1196]

Ayee!

[@elisepotter192]

Ayeeeeee

[@mini0947]

sorry freed here

[@jessicadrennan1123]

💫pointe shoe sewing hack💫 *video explanation at bottom* Use one ribbon per foot (same overall length per foot but not cut in half)! 1️⃣You know the way pointe shoes come in the box folded into each other? Well the back of the shoe tends to fold in this case. Fold it this way. 2️⃣Take a pen 🖊 and put the tip in one of the back corners of the v-shaped fold. 3️⃣Make a line with the pen all along the edge of the shoe starting from that back corner. Repeat on the other side until you have a full arc by the heel of the shoe. 4️⃣Place the one ribbon across this line on the side closest to the block. Then sew, keeping some ribbon sewn in the bottom of the shoe. ‼️This will help your ribbons stay in your shoe, which will help your shoe support your foot‼️ 🥰This is hard to explain through a KZbin comment, but I’ll try and edit this with the link to a video explaining it. This is the way my teacher recommends and so many dancers I know have done this and loved it.🥰 EDIT: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZyzdGVoq86mjpY Watch that video for a better explanation!!!!

[@morgan.r_taylor]

I just got my Pointe letter yesterday! Going through the rite of passage with my dance friends!

[@merle-k]

fun fact: the first pair I tried on were the ones I bought... I obviously tried on other pairs for the comparison; but the first pair just fit perfectly

[@ashlynhatch3989]

So excited!!!!! Today, my teacher gave me the okay to go en pointe in fall!!! YAAAAAAAAAYYYYY!!!!!!!!

[@katieasammy]

I wear Bloch Eurostretch shoes as well! When I got fitted for the first time, I really wanted to get grishkos, and they ended up looking really good on me. However, by the summer, I was getting way too many blisters, I could barely stand in them without pain. I quickly got refitted and ended up with Blochs. I'm so happy to be in them now, they definitely have saved my feet!

[@erinmccarthy9403]

I'm so excited- my teacher just told me I'm ready for pointe. I'm going to get fitted sometime after Christmas and I just cannot wait!!! (I'm 12)

[@morgan.r_taylor]

I'm 11, and I just got my Pointe letter yesterday!

[@janachristine5776]

Thank you Kathryn! I just went en pointe. I got my first shoes yesterday.

[@kathryn_morgan]

Congrats! That's so exciting!

[@madelinestanifer6292]

Once I got a pair of Bloch shoes that were way too wide. My shoes width had been messed up, but I was really new to pointe and did not think much of it. After one rehearsal in them I almost broke my ankle and had to get new shoes. I recently started wearing the whisper MS140 shoes from Mirella and I love them! They fit so well and are so comfortable!

[@katiefulton9456]

Love & adore these videos - I've been through years of tweaking my shoes - including different brands, styles, makers, etc, and even I got SO MUCH from this video! Thank you, Katie, I really love your videos about pointe: pointe shoes/pointe exercises, pointe tips...you've changed my feet for the stronger/better! I'm definitely "pro" more videos like these! Also: I've recently gotten back into darning the tips (just once or twice around the platform) ...any feelings on darning? Thanks so much, Katie- You're such a lovely individual

[@taylormitchell4562]

i’m getting my pointe shoes tomorrow!!!! i’m so excited!!

[@VasiaAthina]

I loveee you!!! This video helped soo much! Greetings from Greece 💞

[@elisakotilainen5089]

yes!! updated pointe shoe sewing video

[@nataliepool1778]

I’m getting pre pointe shoes soon and this is still very helpful 😄 Thx for your help

[@cupcakemccutiepie774]

Thought that the world should know that I am getting my pointe shoes tomorrow!!!!!!

[@emoballerina2598]

Thanks for the tips on making them bigger! My shoes fit very well they just get tighter than they should be. I'll have to try that soon!💕

[@juliettedavies1550]

OMG I'm just found out that I'm starting pointe I'm next term so this is the perfect time for this video. I'm so excited i can't wait

[@kathryn_morgan]

Yay! Congratulations!

[@juliettedavies1550]

Kathryn Morgan Thank you!!

[@ryanr.w.2111]

I get mine tomorrow! I'm beyond excited

[@isaaaaaburotto]

THAN YOU!!! I never knew about those elastic ribbons! I've always had that problem of putting them on too tight, but this than you!!!!

[@jiatameta5969]

I have insanely strong feet, but I wear Freed Studios II s I'm basically in love with them. I got over the wingblocks. At the fitting, I tries feed classics, and it looked like I had been wearing these shoes for weeks, they were completely bend over

[@Lea-uu2el]

yes please do an update for sewing pointe shoes😍💗

[@blah7983]

Grishko are the best for me because I have narrow feet. I started with a ss shank (equivalent of soft for other brands), and now I have a medium. I experimented with russians a couple of times.

[@elmimiel290]

Dear Katie, please help me. I love dancing and would like to get a professional or a teacher. I'm working hard and not that bad, but I do not have the right hips for ballet. Because of that I can't turn out 100% and I can't do the middle split. Do you think I can do ballet professional? And thank you for all your videos. I have learned a lot and with your exercises I have improved a lot and get inspired to work even harder on my self. I hope you could answer.

[@ashlynhatch3989]

I know I'm responding a year later, but ALMOST NOBODY can turn out 100% and my aunt is a professional ballerina and she has never been able to do the middle splits. So if ur still thinking about it, go for it!!! 😄

[@miomio6890]

Another great educational video, thanks so much!

[@solar0wind]

I have Bloch Serenades. My ballet teacher sells them, and ONLY them, so when I needed a second pair of pointe shoes, I went to the only dance store in my area to have a professional fitting. I tried on a LOT (Grishko, Bloch, Gaynor Minden, and probably more), but there were only two models that fit me because my left foot was to broad for most models. One of them were Gaynor Minden shoes, and the other one Bloch Serenades... Since they didn't have the right size of the first model, and it would have been much too expensive anyway, I ended up with the same model as before, just a half size smaller. So now, I have two pairs of Bloch Serenade, the old one in 5 and the new one in 4 1/2.

[@20minuteslate]

Body Wrappers/Angelo Luzio has stretch ribbon as well. Been using it since I started pointe and it is an achilles life saver! Katie, any (future) tips for pointe shoe fitting for compressible feet would be appreciated :-)

[@kaceysmith947]

Love your makeup in this video!!!

[@dancing9504]

It could be interesting a video about all pointshoes brands that you use during school and in the company. Thanks for this video! :D

[@narimanelkomy5021]

Im not wearing a pointe now in my dance career ... But im looking forward to wear it ❤ wish me luck

[@ariataylor1225]

This is really helpful because I go through pointe shoes pretty quickly and it would be nice to be able to find a pair that works for me, so I can just get that pair when I need new shoes!

[@madisonhoward5716]

I'm going on point next week ,wish me luck!

[@Maddie-bj7pu]

Thanks, Katy!!! I love your videos, and this weekend I am actually performing a production en pointe this weekend! This was very informative! 💕 I'm a Freed Studio Professionals 5 1/2 D with hard shank.

[@karenkaren3189]

Katie, I have never been on point, and I will never be on point, but I found this fascinating!

[@JessieBanana]

Just wanted to add here, the Grishko Maya 1 (and most of the Fouetté last styles) has a shorter vamp. They're not commonly stocked in US stores, so I think that's why Grishko has that reputation.

[@ms.morbier6673]

Thank you Kathryn for the tips!! Would love more videos on this topic including other ballet shoes for practice (non-pointe).

[@mimigaudet7484]

I'd love more pointe shoe videos!

[@a.v7995]

If your going to start pointe, a really great shoe is the Julieta shoe by Repetto. It's really nice and fits my feet perfectly. It's made for beginners and has a really soft sole. Definitely my fav❤️

[@amyfeng9295]

I would like to get some advices on paddings :)

[@ArtieP3]

I love your videos!!! I recently started ballet again at 22 after not dancing for several years. Your videos have been sooo helpful. Can you do a video about split vs. full sole point shoes? Also leather vs. canvas flat shoes? Mostly I’m just curious and like to learn everything I can about the things I’m into. And you’re a resource on the subject I definitely trust!

[@Ashley-yi6xe]

I use to wear Bloch Axis. Each of my classes last up from 1.5 - 3 hours per week. Since Bloch has a lot of different types too, I wear use too wear Axis then I changed to Bloch Sylphide. It was supposed to be shoes for beginners but I all tall and unfortunately my teacher doesn't order the the size of Bloch Axis for my foot which was size 7. Because of my big feet, the suppliers rarely ship in pointe shoes in this size due to the small amount of people in my country that has the same issue because they think they will either ship in much more than the amount of pointe shoes in this size more than the we need, or they will not ship enough to satisfy our needs, so they decided to not ship it in at all. So the only thing my teacher could do was to buy me another type of Bloch pointe shoes that had my size, and that was Slyphide. But the first time I wore my new pointe shoes, I could already feel it getting soft by the end of my 3 hour lesson. I was to have my exam 3 weeks later and my teacher does not do pointe work every single week. So a week before my exam, my teacher decided to run through everything thoroughly. I could feel my pointe shoes getting softer and softer but it couldn't be help because suppliers had sold it all out. On the day of my exam, I was half way doing pose turns when my pointe shoes gave way and I tripped. After that, each and ever exercise, I would never be able to execute it to my best because my pointe shoes died on me I the middle of my exam. After that we had a audition to be in a play. It was a play associating with Asia Ballet Academy. The teacher, Ms Ivy was kind enough to bring down a he brand of the pointe shoes her students in her company uses, Fuzi. She let all of use test it and i loved it immensely, the shank was 3 quarter hard and it showed off my arch and it was comfortable. I bought 2 pairs just in case I she won't be able to ship them in time when they die on me. We now have rehearsal with one of her teachers, Ms Cathy and we are constantly doing pointe work. I don't know how long my shoes will last because I use two pairs at once, I season the first pair, the I season the second pair so I won't have to work with a hard shoe when my first pair dies on me. For now, the first pair is already getting " comfortable" ( it means is starting to get soft) so I do hope it both of my pointe shoes will last me until the end of November... I think that's kind of impossible but I do hope this brand will last longer than Bloch. We will be having our ballet performance next year at Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia next year on the 18,19,20 January. I'm sorry I bored you with my story but I just wanted to write this down even though a lot of you are probably wondering why the hell am I talking about all this random information about my ballet life. Thank you for reading my long ass comment, goodbye and have a nice day 👋👋

[@IsabelHernandez-cq3qh]

I went to the store and said i want Bloch but they put me in Capezio. I imedietally fell in love. The owner walked by me during my fitting and said your feet look good in any brand. So i have Capezio but the box is just a little bit long i hope i can stay with Capezio 🤞🏼

[@emmminhah]

Can you do a video on what benchmarks need to be reached before considering pointe and any tips you've got for the transition? Any opinion on soft blocks for example? This was a great video, as always :)

[@kathryncookson865]

A newer video on how to sew, tie pointe shoes would be awesome! I'm really hoping my teacher will approve me for pointe soon, next year I'm starting pre-pointe, and started taking the odd class already. 😺

[@thatclassygirl5094]

I would love an updated sew point shoes video! Also great video as always

[@laurenres]

I have Bloch and they fit great. Mine have padding on the inside of the shoe by the box. I still have to wear toepads (obviously) but it makes the shoe more comfortable. And I also have feet like yours so it makes sense we’re both in Bloch

[@annikar3545]

i just got russian pointe almaz pointe shoes and they are amazing! i tried freeds, blochs, capezios and none of them fit as well at the russians!!!

[@alexadollar601]

Please do an updated pointe shoe tips and tricks video. Can you also consider doing a video on how you prepare for a performance??

[@kathryn_morgan]

Yes! Great suggestion!

[@lucyhurford8028]

Hi Kathryn, love your vids! 💕could you please do a vid talking about darning or gluing tips of pointe shoes ? Benefits / pros / cons if you've experience of doing either if not why and so on ? Many thanks xx

[@scarlettalbertson6267]

I'm getting my pointe shoes next week but Ive only been doing ballet for about 5 months and im really scared I'll not be able to do it

[@lovemoon6613]

What?? after 5 months of ballet are you kidding me ?? that's absolutly amazing !! good luck

[@madelinedeshong5309]

That’s amazing, be confident, you’ll do great

[@EliseMcFarlin]

thank you so much for this video it gave me so much piece of mind on what to think about in the future for pointe shoes

[@AgaliaHeartstar]

thanks, Kathryn! :-)

[@carolinagarcia7619]

Please do an updated how you sew your pointe shoes!!

[@sarahmccallister4725]

I started pointe a year or two ago and I wear grishko, the block is a nice length for me and the width of the shoe is good (my feet are really thin) obviously everyone is different, but they're perfect for me

[@abigailsewall8250]

one note for propel with high insteps grishkos can be very snappy in the shank and often don't last long because the shank snaps

[@sofiagabaldon4981]

A good place to sew your ribbons are where your arch is, around the same place where you cut it to 3/4 the shank if that makes sense. I find that it compliments my feet the most but it always depends.

[@User-jb7mu]

I just found out yesterday that I get to start training for pointè shoes in September and I am so excited😁

[@amberjade6601]

Rhiannon Schaefer do you mean you’re starting pre-pointe? because I just started doing those classes as well, about 3 weeks ago!

[@User-jb7mu]

Amber _Jade Yep :) I’m also getting my pointè shoes this Tuesday!!

[@amberjade6601]

Rhiannon Schaefer omg congrats!! I still have about 2 months to go aha

[@User-jb7mu]

Amber _Jade I thought I would have to wait that long too!! XD The two months will go by fast tho

[@beautifulwisdom2698]

Thank you for this video! It helped me so much, exactly what I was looking for!

[@jaydastewart4848]

I do ballet every Monday and i can’t wait to get en point

[@mila6009]

I guess you saved my life with this video 😄 thank you💗

[@erinnvroom3336]

Hi, Kathryn! I love your videos, they are so helpful and amusing! I was wondering if you maybe could do a video about little tips you have to make the dancing look better. Some sort of ballet hacks, like little things that instantly improve your dancing. Don't know if you really know some, but if you do that would be amazing! (For instance that thing you said in another video about thinking about your supporting leg when you raise the other leg, I thought that was so smart!) xx a girl from holland

[@alyssa1523.]

At about 2:50 in this [ kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHe8fWyCbMR4o6M ] episode of strictly ballet, the girls mention you!! They are excited about the NYCBallet members shoes and they spotted yours!! I wasn't sure if you knew but I thought it was cute! Love you and your videos😘

[@fawffles]

What are your thoughts on Gaynor Mindens?

[@audreydeguia2052]

fawffles yes! I want to know

[@fawffles]

I love mine personally. Just got them a bit ago and they've really molded to my feet and feel awesome for the most part

[@Tigerheiress]

fawffles i hated mine. i felt like i couldn't even move

[@elden-brady]

i am in gaynors right now, love how they look and feel but sadly they make my toenails bruised and fall off :(

[@mathildewesendonck7225]

I‘m an adult beginner, and I hated the Gaynors ... everyone told me that they are perfect for beginners. But it was a horror, my feet went blue and I lost a nail. My problem: they don‘t stretch at all. But when my feet are warm (and they swell quite a bit when I do ballet class), they get bigger and the shoe is too small then. Even during class my feet 🦶 are changing, depending on how warm it is etc. My experience is that as a beginner it’s better to have shoes that stretch a tiny bit, because it’s all „trial and error“ in the beginning and I want to feel my feet a little to balance. The Gaynors felt like skiing boots for me 🙈 But because they were so expensive and they were supposed to fit perfectly, I thought that’s how it is and accepted all the blisters and blue toes etc. 😬 I have Russian points now, and I love them 😍

[@jessicabush3735]

What is your opinion on Gaynor Mindens?

[@amandanance919]

Sorry, everyone is commenting their pointe shoe problems, but I really want some advice about this. I started a pre-pointe class last fall, but I haven't been in a couple of months (partly because of timing and also because of my shoes). I think the vamp of my shoes might be too long since I am barely on my platform, even in first. Also, when I try to do demi-pointe in my shoes, the throats of the shoe digs into my foot just above where my toes connect to my metatarsals. I don't have super archy feet, but they're not flat, I'd say like moderately archy. I have short toes and feet that are wider at the toe joint and are narrower at the heel. My heel is probably "medium" width if we're talking about street shoes, but the toe joint area is more "wide." I want to continue pointe, what should I do?

[@brokenhallelujah19]

Don't let your shoes hold you back! The best thing you can do is find a good fitter - we are lucky enough in my area that the owner of a local dance store is a phenomenal fitter and it made the biggest difference between me hating my first pointe shoes and having the shoes actually feel like part of my foot. Finding the right shoes makes all the difference and can turn pointe work from torture to fun and enjoyable. There is really nothing else like it! Don't suffer in silence with your shoes - ask your teacher for help. It's what they're there for and they have likely seen the same issue before and know how to fix it. :) One thing you can do to help with the vamp issue (if that really is the only main issue) is to soften the top of the vamp - this is something our teachers recommended and your teacher will be able to help with. My favorite method is to dip one finger in warm water, dab it on the inside of the shoe (so it doesn't stain the satin) where the vamp is causing issues, work the area with my fingers to help soften it, and repeat as necessary. Just be careful not to saturate the shoe with water because it will break down the box.

[@amandanance919]

Anne Harrison I went to the most reputable fitter in my area. There are only a few dance stores in my area, and the other ones have an iffy reputation. I have Suffolk Spotlight 4.5XXX, so I think they're already pretty wide. Should I go back and bring my shoes so they can see the problems I am having?

[@louiselins]

Yes, you should! Fitting is not easy and always a learning process. Bring your shoes and show to your fitter. Don´t give up of pointe because of that. Good luck, reply here if you get any news :)

[@amandanance919]

Anne Harrison yes I checked the heel thing and it was fine. It seems to me like the vamp is the main problem, no matter how hard I use my muscles to press up, I'm never quite on top of the platform. The fitter I went to carries a lot of different brands, but I think she tried mostly Capezio, Bloch, and Suffolks.

[@alaskaballetdancer28]

It sounds like you are in a shoe with a vamp that is too long, but also remember that too hard of a shank can hold you back from achieving full pointe. If you have a dead pair of shoes or a pair you no longer use try shortening the vamp yourself to see if that helps you to get en pointe and alleviate the pain. It does takes a bit of time but is possible. The KZbin channel "straight to the Pointe" has a video of a Grishko professional fitter shortening her vamp. You snip the threads holding on the drawstring casing in the vamp area from where your drawstring exits the casing back on either side to the metatarsal area leaving the drawstring intact, don't pull it out. Take a pair of scissors and cut the pointe shoe box right at the end of the vamp following the shape of the throat as it was cut by the factory (the vamp area farthest from the end or platform of the shoe).Cut a little at a time and try the shoe back on, plié, go on to high Demi pointe, on pointe, etc. and see if the shorter vamp helps. You might even try making the vamp more of a V shape if it is very rounded. Remember that you don't want to go so short on the vamp length that your metatarsals are not encased in the box, and not too short in the front, no toe cleavage! If you find your right length them you sew the casing, with the drawstring inside, back on so it looks and functions like it did before you removed it. I did this many times on stock Freeds if my special orders were delayed. It takes some patience, but it works. It just might not look as pretty as a factory sewn shoe but who cares if it works. Tip: Sew the drawstring casing back on with thread like the waxed Bunheads thread or waxed dental floss for strength. Best of luck!

[@balletpointe831]

I love this!

[@bunheadladymelody3355]

I find it very helpful and of course whenever I get a chance to get on pointe eventually. it's very best to try out everything. Do you have a foot care routine?

[@somalley2691]

Loved the vid! Please can you do a video on ankle strengthening exercises ready for pointe as my ankles are really weak and I am going on pointe soon.

[@janehervilla7143]

yesss updated how ti sew your point shoes pleaaase

[@bellarose3080]

this was very helpful... thank you

[@bigmck429]

I have the worst problem. I have wide feet. I have good feet to but the places around me ether don't have a good supply or they are clueless on how to size them. The only one that has worked for me is block but they only have one sized shank and I need a strong one and they make me look sickled and there is a bunch in the magazine but I don't want the get ones that don't fit or don't look right.

[@koenengelen1]

Hi Kathryn! Thank you for your amazing and informative videos, they're very helpful :) I'm a guy and I've been doing pointe for almost two years now, but I can't seem to find any other person like this. Do you have any experience with guys on pointe? Is it possible for guys to be able to dance on pointe in companies, albeit only during classes? I'm pretty tall and my pointe shoe size is 9. The biggest pointe shoe store in my entire country only seems to have one type of shoe that fits me (Bloch serenades). While I do think they are good for my feet, It's still a shame that I can't try on different brands. Do you have any tips on how to get around this? Thank you very much, keep up the great work! :)

[@hannahbrabham]

i have wide metatarsals and short toes, but with a narrow heel and pretty flexible feet. i have tried Bloch European balance and they felt pretty good in the store but now i am starting to sink down in them. any advice?

[@briesutton2817]

Thank you for sharing!!!❤️ very helpful.

[@cherrywinehaz9493]

PLEASE HELP! I have been in pointe for a year. My first pair of pointe shoes were Suffolk Stellar (english) they were terrible, ingrown toenails constantly. My fitter then let me try Freed (not sure what style) I felt they were a good look, but not the right shoe. The fitter insisted i went with these because they looked good and felt good. They felt good in the shop, I just think they didn't have enough shank strength. I then bought Freed Studios. These felt okay, or at least i wanted them to feel okay..... The box feels too long,and that is causing me to not be able to get up on my toes but if i went a size smaller my toes were cramped. I have two months until my recital and i am STRUGGLING to get on pointe in center, the size that i have now is too big! What do i do? I have to wear these for two more months and then the recital. I cannot do flats again for recital. How can i make my pointe shoes fit??? PLEASE HELP!!! i am desperate for help! PLEASE!

[@Liz-bt9df]

how was the recital?

[@sisbal101]

Can you make a video of how you glue your pointe shoes?

[@ultravioletspirit]

sisbal101 she has a video out with all the tips on how to prepare them before class including gluing, sewing ribbons and elastic, and everything else!!

[@EnchantingWings1]

In regards to shank strength... Bloch Hannah were so soft that I couldn't fully roll up (I am on the heavier side as well as being tall). Now I understand why my other fitters fitted something like the Bloch Aspiration, GM Extraflex, Bloch Triomphe or Bloch B-Morph (current). They support me and I feel like I am not going to fall off my shoes. I was scared to dance in the because the support was not there.

[@daffo595]

Just got back from ballet class to this! Katy, do you darn your point shoes or stick the tip?

[@AllegroFitnessLondon]

yayyy :D Accordng to this my shoes fit lol...but i wasn't in too much doubt, they are super comfortable (or as comfortable as I can imagine a pointe shoe can be) ...might try the elastic ribbons though. Good video

[@jankoraven]

Grishko actually makes the only shoe I can find that has a short and square enough box for my feet! Every brand seems to offer so many options now. It's pretty cool!

[@xoxanime4lifexox]

may i ask what type of grishko do you have ?

[@jankoraven]

BadAttitude They're Grishko Elite!

[@mimigaudet7484]

Can you please do a video on performing everything swan lake?

[@lockheart619]

MORE POINTE SHOE VIDEOS!

[@kedmark]

Bravo superb thanks for posting!