Pointe Shoe Fitting a DANCE MAJOR

You can only pick one. College or dance? What do you choose?
What if, you could have both?
Thank you to Megan Yamashita for sharing her journey! And shout out to USC, Josephine's alma mater!
*Disclaimer: We know this may be a sensitive subject since the landscape of higher education has been drastically impacted by the global pandemic. The upload of this video was not meant to be untimely or insensitive - in fact this was filmed in late August, during a time when school was still uncertain for many universities. We felt that this story needed to be shared, and hope that this can inspire future dance majors to keep powering through, and achieve their dreams.
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Produced, Filmed & Edited by: Jazley Faith @jazzleyfaith

[@akileaf4029]

She sounds like what I assume Olivander would sound like when he talks about wands in Harry Potter

[@SavageMinnow]

I don’t even dance and I love this channel... because yeah... it’s magical

[@valeriabringas7645]

BAHAHA

[@fatimaherrera8089]

YES I LOVE YOU

[@akileaf4029]

Thanks so much for the heart and the pin!!!!!

[@gracie7964]

Perfect explanation!

[@gracealexandra4626]

I would love to see your take on starting ballet after gymnastics because I was a gymnast/ figure skater for about 6 years and I am 15. I would love to start ballet and was wondering about the similarities and if you could do a video like you did with the figure skater on gymnastics. Thanks :) I love your videos

[@ThePointeShop]

That's a great idea! Thank you :)

[@elizabethh.1686]

I would say absolutely go for it! As a former competitive gymnast (I did it for 8 years) turned ballet dancer, I understand that it is very scary and very new! While there are some habits you do have to break, such as the way you hold your arm and how you turn, typically it is not hard to pick up. Also, if you are nervous about starting late, just know that many of us gymnasts/figure skaters didn't take our first ballet classes until we were much older!

[@nj586]

I started ballet after quitting gymnastics and the most severe difference ist turnout

[@isabellelam9606]

From my experience (gym until teenage then start ballet as an adult), the one thing I feel I need the most is turnout. So I did more exercises on practicing the turnout muscles to make it easier for me. There are quite a lot of turnout stretch and exercises on KZbin that you can choose from.

[@jackson5802]

I did dance primarily with interludes of doing gymnastics, there aren't many similarities fundamentally but gymnastics will give you a good start to get into ballet ))

[@nataliejensen940]

i'm in my first year of pointe and i love it. i've already gone through so many pairs of shoes

[@ThePointeShop]

Nice work!

[@nataliejensen940]

@@ThePointeShop thank you!

[@hanbigim]

I'm so excited for pre-pointe and pointe, I'm so close!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@beverlytheniceonemartin8843]

I wish I could give this episode more than a thumbs up! Maybe an Oscar or even better a Tony! You both have made it possible for those with a double dream to know they can have both if they planned work hard.

[@allycreech2364]

i actually got my pointe shoes around a month ago and i love dancing in them

[@annaburke-herrera621]

Me realizing my feet are this flexible but I'm not a dancer. My husband calls them my second set of hands because I can hold and pick up stuff with them. 😂

[@rosegranger2872]

This is literally me xD. Not a dancer (though I'm able to stand and walk in Pointe shoes, I know I shouldn't do it but I love doing it), but I open doors with my feet, pick up stuff and I can even write with them.

[@irockyoursockzsobad]

This is so nice to watch... I have those crazy feet as well, but its really in my arch. It's so important to get a teacher who will make sure that you stay on your shoe rather than breaking over and "showing off" your foot. I always had struggles with the strength in my feet because of it. Once I got a teacher who told me to stop breaking over, I felt way more stable. But god, I am so jealous of her feet, strength wise! They are bendy but you can see the thick muscle! High arches/bendy feet look great, but they are harder to fit for shoes and are way harder to strengthen.

[@addieschmit9366]

“College is where ballet dreams go to die” MOOOD

[@nadrei9975]

I was wondering how you can tell if an adult is ready to go on point or not. I started ballet kind of late at a age of 16, that was about 1,5 years ago. Now I am 18 and have dance on a daily basis in school and spare time. I have dance about 3-4h a day, but ballet just 3 times a week. I don’t think I am ready yet to go on point but I talk with one of my classmates about it. She is already on point and thought that I should start as well just based on seeing me dance. Also thank you for all of these awesome videos. 🥰

[@DavidLeBlanc]

I knew this girl in college back in the late 70's. She was a finance/accounting major and a dance minor. Her passion was dance, but she was good with numbers as well and decided at some point to look beyond ballet for a more profitable career. I think she also taught ballet at some local schools to stay in it and danced in some local productions.

[@elanak6814]

I’m obsessed with pointe videos! I’m in pre pointe/pointe 1 waiting to be told I can get my shoes

[@amyhuang6280]

As a USC student who's taken dance classes at Kaufman just for fun, I would say that we have a great program for holistic development! Fight on!

[@Megan_0215]

Love this video. It may be past my time but I’m glad things are changing for the future. I think double majoring is a brilliant and smart 💡 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@bodybalancer]

Im late obviously but, I’d be so curious about the Grishko Elites for her. They’re made for short / even toes, wider feet tho…. I have wide feet, for most & even me, sinking is the problem with them. Idk if all these years later if you’ll see my comments but, I used to work at a dancewear store in college for a while & was trained to fit pointe shoes. The fun part of course was getting to try on different pairs. Even tho they didn’t quite work for me, I LOVED the Grishko elites bc they would PLACE you, and they made my feet look better than they actually are. I MIGHT just for fun want to go for a pointe shoe fitting bc I want to return to dancing just for pure enjoyment, and I’d like to actually work a little on pointe just at the bar, to strengthen my feet & improve my arches. I guess if she needs a longer vamp they wouldn’t work. But regardless they were always one of my favorite shoes, a bit unique in that they’re wide & the box is so…. Boxy lol, square. Very very stable! I’d love to see you review them or show them on some feet they would work well for, and show the feet as well (bare, like Ive noticed a lot of comments have asked for & we’re curious to see). Anyway this just brings back some good, nostalgic memories. & it helps with inspo to bring ballet back into my life. I actually want to try something new in figure skating, which may be a little crazy since Im only shy of 40 yrs old by a couple years but, I dont want to do anything crazy just learn to balance & feel graceful and have some fun on the ice, for fun & fitness bc i get bored & think I just need to try something new… and I kind of need that as motivation to actually get back to ballet & yoga, as crosstraining. I figure that background might help me anyway to pick up skating. I do know a lot of figure skaters do ballet for cross training, & it only ever makes them better artistically on the ice & more graceful, and you can always tell the difference between skaters who do have that ballet experience and those who don’t. I would figure that a little point work at the barre could also only help to strengthen the feet & ankles to reduce risk of injury on the ice, ankle injuries are really common otherwise 😕 bc they switch edges, inside or outside edge, so they sometimes are sickling the feet or the ankles are moving inward or outward so yeah, high risk for injury & I’d like to avoid that, no desire to ever become competitive, only attracted to it for pure enjoyment. Anyway, sorry Im so longwinded or verbose 😕 ive never been able to help that for the life of me 🤦‍♀️ enjoy your videos 👍

[@emb6040]

Im in love with this chanel

[@ThePointeShop]

Thank you!

[@emb6040]

@@ThePointeShop omg you replied AHHHAHAHAHHAHAH IM FREAKING OUT YOU HAVE MADE MY DAY

[@that1choirkid190]

That's exactly what I want to do. I want to double major so that I can dance and still have a plan b. However, doing that I have to pay for college myself or get a scholarship because my parents refuse to pay for a dance major, because they think it's a waste of time.

[@wayward_gamer2342]

This story makes me happy, thank you for sharing!

[@einfegalisaberso4436]

I‘m going through 8 years of dance now, startet when i was really small, rn I‘m just in Pointe practise since 1 year- I watch all you‘re videos and I wanna go buy pointe shoes rn😭😂

[@MM-et6tj]

Omg lovely 😊 I get my pointe shoes soon! So excited 😆

[@mlewis8579]

Ohhhhh so great to see a dancer with strong boxy feet! Also now days mixing dance with other studies.

[@eugeniesamson9843]

Loved this so much! I wish I had known all this 13 years ago!

[@isabellaskali]

Your channel is so amazing you have inspired me so much! Keep doing what your doing because you got me through quarantine and you giving me helpful things about ballet

[@levampire]

3:47 I do love this part

[@jasmine.ander2003]

I wish I was able to start ballet when I was younger... Now I'm almost 17..

[@celesteflores1368]

it’s never too late! it’s definitely going to be a different experience, but if youre really interested u should try it! also u should watch her vid on the adult dancer, she’s very inspirational and i think it would push u to try it!

[@user-wi1eb3nd3q]

My contemporary class teacher...🤭

[@pigeonleadre]

This makes me want to become a dancer

[@theonecounttheonecount8477]

I wish you were around when I was a dancer.

[@justme9818]

hopefully constructive feedback: i wonder.. if the dancer was trained to point her toes by keeping them straight -rather than crunching and curling them under, would she have more support and then get a little extra time out of her shoes. she's so beautifully flexible it looks like all is well in the shoe, but the shots of her barefoot make me wonder if she's 100% dependent on the shoes to carry rather than support her.

[@annelieseclaus5567]

It would be great if you would be able to come to the New Jersey area because my dance studio and level especially loves to watch your channel and are in need of pointe shoes.

[@kennabc4183]

I just got fitted in my pointe shoes and I got fitted in block heritage because I have very short toes and my feet are strong so it was a good fit for me I would also love to meet you some day.

[@sydtoofaded]

A lot of ballet videos popping up onto my suggested... Especially you! Everyone always said I have perfect ballet feet! They’re like Megan’s, bending in half lol 😂 I believe it will haunt me forever since I never got into it... 😶

[@elizabeth-ty3he]

So refreshing to see non stereotypical dancers

[@sharanyaestherdavid]

I got pointe shoes from wish and they are superior

[@annaelsjoki4612]

Please don’t do that. Wish pointe shoes are not real pointe shoes and they are dangerous. You should get fitted for good pointe shoes that works for you to avoid injuries.

[@gerickson9552]

Sounds like my feet. I remember going through a pair of Freed’s in ONE class😩😩😩

[@louisemoolman6397]

Cool

[@blah7983]

There’s a couple or colleges where you have a real shot at a professional career afterwards. Butler comes to mind

[@finnparker9280]

Gaynors seem to work well for me

[@Sarah-kl2mu]

I go on point next year... Any tips

[@datatulip]

Why am I watching pointe shoe videos??? I did ballet for many years, but due to surgery for clubfoot, I was never strong enough to do pointe, so a lot of this is totally lost on me. But somehow this is still interesting!

[@innabanu]

Picking your pointe shoes is like chosing your wand.

[@ashledashnaw2575]

I never had a chance to go to any dance programs. I got pregnant before I could go, then I blew out my knee. So my dance dreams have been dead for 9 years.

[@jessicaseiden878]

I’m planning to go en pointe soon but I have NO CLUE about what to get, do u have any suggestions for beginner?

[@susanwylie9890]

What a good idea for a video....starting out when I was 11/12 we had one English brand and one style of pointe shoe available. No half sizes even! 1960s were tough! My favourite pair...and probably my mother’s...had a soft leather toe cap which saved her darning ( or crocheting little pink caps for the toe box) and helped make the shoe last...until I outgrew it.

[@jessicaseiden878]

@@susanwylie9890 thank you so much!

[@Altanicorn]

My dancer friends at uni always said i have like perfect ballet feet (my feet look like this girls) but here i am playing video games and eating chips

[@vickirasmussen4791]

How long does your shoes last?..... I hear that a dancer uses up till 3 part of toe point shoe aday

[@bearvillebear1468]

Keep strong. Dont forget that despite the struggles in this world, God is full of justice, mercy and love. Justice said we broke His perfect law - causing the world's previous perfection to be destroyed - and therefore we deserve Hell (like a punishment in any legal system but this is eternal as His perfect law is eternal too). Don't think you fit in that category? Ever done one of these?: lying, stealing - regardless of how small the object EVER, hating others - which is murder in God's perfect law, lusting (plus God sees our entire thought life). Justice says "the soul that sins shall die" - if we break one in thought/word/deed it's as if we're guilty of all of them. Quite simply, living by the law (which is doing everything perfectly) is impossible for sinful humans . The law shows us that 1. We will die in Hell if we fail to follow it and 2. We cannot save ourselves BUT, 3. God's perfect, immovable law points us to Christ, who followed and fulfilled the law in thought, word and deed perfectly in our place. He did what we couldn't and did it on our behalf. He was then sentenced to death on a cross, and took our personal punishment for our sin, paying our penalty (like paying our fine) completely FOR us, and has given us freedom. If we turn from the sins we have committed and repent (pursue the opposite direction of love through Christ) He will, overtime, recreate us back into that previously perfect image through The Holy Spirit which Jesus sends to all who accept Him as their personal Lord and Savior of their life. He will help us through the struggle, the stress, and anything we experience in the world. It's about letting Christ in to guide and teach you and obeying Him through His power (not ourselves, we need Him to help us as it's impossible without depending on His power and instruction). He is our substitute in His life, death and resurrection. He essentially rewrote history in our place so that, if you believe in Him, it will be as if you had never sinned if you accept Christ's death as our own in our place. He is in Heaven right now preparing a place for us so that He can take His faithful, believing children home with Him when He returns. He will ressurrect us from death when He returns, giving mercy to those who accept His love, instruction and teachings in their life, and give justice to those who refuse it. He doesn't want ANY of us to go to Hell and die for continuing in evil and rejecting His way to life, thats why He died FOR us. Hes giving EVERYONE a chance, He wants everyone to take the free gift of salvation from Hell. He wants us to be His and begin to follow His life of love and service through His power and abiding (staying) with Him. So long as we keep our hearts near to Christ through His strength, strive to follow His will of perfect love revealed in the Bible, and let Him lead in the midst of (very certain) pitfalls and struggles, we will, in time, win the ultimate victory over sin, pain and DEATH through Christ. Even if you are willing to be made willing, pray for Jesus to come in and He will do what we can't. Give us The Holy Spirit who will guide us in the right way. NOTE: You are NEVER too sinful or messed up that God cannot turn your life around through Jesus. EVER. Regardless of what you've done or what you're going through you CAN make it through Jesus. If you have any questions let me know Xx

[@jackson5802]

I just broke in a new pair of Grishkos (medium shank) after three classes about one and a half to two hours long because my Russians were too hard. My parents are not thrilled.

[@susanwylie9890]

Oops!!!

[@Bella-lb4dk]

Who’s not even a dancer but still watches this channel? I do :)

[@aamu3]

yeah, I'm nowhere even close to being a dancer! I also have very weak foot muscles (I have flat feet and it causes a bunch of back pain and strained muscles in the rest of the body) and ...watching this channel actually motivates me to train my feet

[@OWK000]

I was never a ballet dancer. I didn't have the parents and I liked the big moves bouncing across the floor (gymnastics). Then I broke my wrist and did modern for life with a little belly dancing thrown in, but never pro. I was a big gymnast 141-143 lean pounds. I had huge Fred Flinstone feet for a long while--so thick! It is bizaare and interesting to me to see ballet dancer feet. Their toes are not as thick the muscle actually doesn't follow through the whole foot as much. Pointe shoes are such a weird prosethic. I wonder how they do the leaps and things. Now I am old and autoimmune arthtis and slowed down but I still try to keep a little foot muscle, but my feet look prettier and more normal now. sigh. I still miss the muscles.

[@ellebliss3]

🙋🏾‍♀️🙋🏾‍♀️😊

[@lola.cruz916]

Religiously lol. Been wanting to do ballet since I was 10. I took it when I was 5, but that was just a super simple intro class for babies. Its been my dream to find a ballet studio that teaches adults in my area, but sadly there none😭

[@owenauger]

Same :)

[@JessicaHadari]

“College is where ballet dreams go to die” 😂

[@sabrina-bf8wc]

it's so true though

[@sketchbook_worm]

oh god now I'm scared

[@ceccato91]

so true!

[@jessicaharo6258]

*any dance dreams

[@thaisantunes1546]

Been there, done that

[@stephiehellyeah2557]

I had “pretty” feet. Let me tell you of the constant sprained ankles!

[@hannahkirkpatrick5442]

Yesss!! I have pretty nice feet and I have rolled my ankles so many times man

[@stephiehellyeah2557]

@@hannahkirkpatrick5442 I was in a small town way before the internet and KZbin. So I didn’t end up on pointe. Other reasons too. I tried. But no one ever told me my high arched feet were the reason for my weak ass ankles! 🤦🏻‍♀️ lol Ahhh, I’m happy today’s dancers have more options for education! 💖 Do you roll your ankles just walking? I have this incredible talent of doing that. 😂

[@hannahkirkpatrick5442]

@@stephiehellyeah2557 omg yess xd

[@kyliee8586]

I have very high arches en pointe (which is odd since my feet are so flat when I’m not in pointe shoes). I always have to tape my feet and get a really hard shank because my flexibility is so much that I go too far over the box.

[@margaretandandrewroth9229]

I’m not a ballet dancer but I have very high arches and oh the rolled ankles....

[@rachelsigg4313]

I love your Chanel! I’m not en pointe but I hope to be some day!

[@ThePointeShop]

You can do it!

[@rachelsigg4313]

@@ThePointeShop thank you!

[@squidfo9813]

you can do it!!! 🩰

[@laylanahar]

Me too Rachel. Good luck to you :)

[@rachelsigg4313]

@@laylanahar you too!

[@irinapeacockalbons513]

I would love to see a fitting of an adult begginer (idk maybe 3 years dancing) with not naturally flexible feet or sickled feet, it would be so interesting xx

[@AT-sx2jp]

As an adult doing ballet classes to try pointe…. I second this

[@bodyofcain]

they wouldnt be ready for pointe shoes then

[@Chlo-ee]

She has mentioned in other videos that it takes years until they’re allowed to go on pointe because it’s so dangerous. It wouldn’t make sense to fit someone who isn’t conditioned to be on pointe. It would be reckless.

[@hanspeter1886]

@@Chlo-ee if we're talking about fitting somebody for their first pair of pointe shoes I wouldn't necessarily say that's true for everybody. I started pointe after around 3 years of ballet (started in my late teens) and it was fine. At least I think it is, I don't have any issues and have been to a few different schools since without complaints about my feet being too weak for pointe or me having awful technique haha

[@mayochupenjoyer]

if they have sickled feet they’re not ready for pointe yet

[@melodyleong]

Just wondering if you would also do a video on exercises to work on for strengthening/stretching specific parts of the foot? So, common 'weaknesses' you see when fitting pointe shoes, and how we can work on them.

[@ThePointeShop]

Great idea!

[@natakatsivalis]

I think she had with exercises to be done with the theraband.

[@AuNaturaleFrench]

This is why I love your channel. This is the first time I’ve seen feet that look like mine on a ballerina. I’d love to see a series on black ballerinas or black dancers cause the conversations about our feet are different and our bodies are judged differently.

[@mlewis8579]

Gabby, I have those strong feet

[@Saraseeksthompson0211]

Omg i love how that dance major is not crazy skinny. She’s so beautiful and looks normal. I haven’t gotten back into dance due to being afraid of being judged due to being thicker. My legs are always thick even when I’m thin, and I struggle with my weight and my hips. I just love seeing her represent dance majors and dance professionals.

[@flxffy_edits]

What does “normal” look like?

[@simamimroll]

@@flxffy_edits Exactly! I am aware that she was trying to make people feel not bad about not being super skinny but what about all the skinny dancers out there? Now she is making them feel bad about how they look. You don’t realize they could be very insecure too.Every body type is insecure about something. And this comment is implying that a “normal person” has to have curves. That is just as absurd as it saying that a “ normal person” has to be skinny. Neither of those are ok.I understand that not fat shaming someone is very important but skinny shaming happens too! Sorry if I sound very upset, but this is something a feel very strongly about!

[@flxffy_edits]

@@simamimroll no you don’t sound too upset! It’s something I feel very strong about too and you are in every way right!! I am insecure that I’m too skinny! People I know are insecure that they are “too fat” it is all so wrongs to body shame. My friends and I know how beautiful we truly are on the inside.

[@Elle-pd7bj]

@@simamimroll “Normal” is a synonym for “average.” Is super skinny considered average? No. It is not. Just like obese isn’t considered average. She is not implying that you have to have curve to be “normal” at all. In fact, many large people do not have curves at all. Fat rolls do not equal curves. I also know very skinny people who do have curves. True curves are based on your skeletal build and sometimes your fat distribution. People need to learn how to be less sensitive and stop taking things so personally these days. It is unrealistic to be PC 24/7. You aren’t spreading education here so don’t try to virtue signal here or act like a victim. If anything, you are making people roll their eyes more and scoff at the absurdity of people not allowing others to make simple comments of appreciation because they have to nitpick at everything. You, ma’am, are toxic.

[@penniewyatt9391]

Everyone looks thick next to Josephine. Unless they are 13.

[@sophieredstone3358]

I needed this video so much , I’m in the same situation as Megan , I want to pursue dance and be in a company and at the same time I want medicine or something else . This is helping so much 💕💕✨✨✨

[@ThePointeShop]

I'm so happy to hear that

[@aballetgal6788]

Same here!!! I want to be a vet but I can’t imagine my life without dance, I love it more than anything so knowing that I have an option to do both is great!

[@sarabills4890]

Yes! I know I want to study science in a serious capacity, but I really need a creative pursuit in my life.

[@professionalcommenter]

Does she have EDS? I see the little balls of what look like connective tissue in her soles of her feet. Plus she has an amazing range of motion. Most people with Ehler's Danlos are super flexible. I was just curious.

[@marsp5636]

Okay somethings wrong. There's only two comments. U deserve more

[@ThePointeShop]

[@rubymcdonagh3971]

Oh why??

[@marsp5636]

Oh why what?

[@pandancer9408]

Ikr!

[@gracealexandra4626]

I would love to see a video on starting ballet late (I am 15 and want to start but I am unsure because of my age)

[@ThePointeShop]

One of our models from a couple years ago was 13 when she started ballet and made it to one of the most prestigious competitions (Prix De Lausanne) by 15 :) anything is possible

[@daranadine7711]

DO IT! I started my freshman year of high school (Ballet I was with elementary age kids, I was so embarrassed but ya gotta start somewhere). At 18 I was in community college ballet and then 20 I was taking the intermediate/advanced open class at my city’s ballet company. I’m now 30, haven’t taken class in a couple years but I still have a barre in my room and often start my day at it.

[@natakatsivalis]

Misty Copeland started training at 13 and she is Misty Copeland, right?

[@simbahunter8894]

Natalia Makarova also started at thirteen, in an experimental accelerated six year program at the Vaganova School.

[@jackson5802]

I danced when I was younger then came back when I was 13. So long as you're extra careful about doing everything properly so as to not hurt yourself, age really isn't an issue. I have a classmate who's in her forties

[@grace-yp3sv]

this was so eye-opening - i'm also in music but as a classical flutist. for a performance major, college is a given - and often a masters degree too, and even additional performance diplomas. i mean, it's not common to make a major orchestral position until you're at least nearly 30. it's the total opposite. a lot professionals i know even took a year off between undergrad and grad school. i cannot wrap my head around your career being ""over"" in COLLEGE. wild. lots of respect for dancers.

[@leeelahglitz47]

I'm 18 and I got held back for years at my studio because my teacher didn't believe I had what it takes. I'm still training at the same studio, but I have a different teacher now, and I've improved so much in the last year and a half. I'm training seriously in ballet and contemporary, and I'm sitting my dance Diploma in Jazz this year. I'm also taking up line dancing and ballroom. I'm hoping to teach dance one day and become professional.

[@Willow-zh8km]

I broke a small bone in my foot, and now I cant dance until the new year because I have to wait a week to get a boot, and then 4 to 6 weeks, then Christmas break

[@annemariechatzopoulou442]

Oh no. I feel so sorry about you. Hope you're getting better and until new year you'll be able to dance again!!!

[@ThePointeShop]

Praying for fast and perfect recovery!

[@Willow-zh8km]

@@ThePointeShop Thanks❤

[@Willow-zh8km]

@@annemariechatzopoulou442 thanks it means alot!❤

[@annemariechatzopoulou442]

@@Willow-zh8km it's not a matter of pleasure. If I had the same, I might have been depressed............

[@dmndsol]

What are the pros and cons of different foot shapes?

[@ThePointeShop]

That's a good question. I'll do a video on that

[@leopardface1]

@@ThePointeShop this would be amazing!!

[@evelyncollins7]

I have NEVER clicked on a video faster.........

[@natasha2852]

I'm 13 years old, I had been doing pointe for 3 years (I quit last week) and I danced on pointe every single day for at least 2 hours a day. I have gone through so many pairs of pointe shoes it's unreal, I had to get rid of a lot of them because we don't have enough space for them all - I still have my first ever pair - I only quit a week ago but I'm already missing it. Might go back this week...

[@Yourfriendlysuburbanstoner]

Well? Did you go back?

[@natasha2852]

@@Yourfriendlysuburbanstoner Yep 🎉

[@rebekahjohnson4883]

I just started en pointe a few months ago and I’m loving it! It has it’s challenges but it is so much fun. I love the bonds I am forming with the other girls. I just recently found your channel right before I went for my fist pointe shoe fitting and it definitely helped me know what to expect with the fitting and my first pointe classes in general. Thank you so much for what you do! 😊

[@sanneottenhof2675]

I used to love dance, but right now, I am too insecure about my body to take classes. I love that she's a dancer who's not bone thin. Really inspires me to ignore my insecure thoughts.

[@natakatsivalis]

Dance will help you develop a much better relationship with your body. You start looking at the potencial it has and a means of doing things that you love and bring you joy. There is definitely not only one way that a dancer should look like and the more we have people with all kinds of bodies in dancing, the more it will be naturalized.

[@sanneottenhof2675]

@@natakatsivalis Thanks, that's a great way of looking at it.

[@Iflie]

Take a look around at different schools, they are not all the same about bodies. We have two around here and mine never had any body requirements my cousin went to the other one and they did crunches and things. She had some body issues in her teens I think she may not have had if she went to my school. Both were just for hobby dancers. As soon as you go ito professional dancing though, well Megan Yamashita didn't start out thick and I think she may be having a harder time with it now too. Ballet often wants a 14 year olds body with a 20 year olds expirience.

[@sanneottenhof2675]

@@Iflie Thank you! That's great advice. I am not planning on dancing professionally though, so luckily I don't have to worry about that. :)

[@Iflie]

@@sanneottenhof2675 Yeah that's good, I think ballet is great for your body but it doesn't require you to be in pro dance shape to enjoy it. You also don't have to go en pointe if it causes too much stress on your feet and ankles, so much of it is about grace and music.

[@khills]

And you can absolutely go back to college later, and still have a great college experience-especially if your goals include graduate school. There’s no longer a single right way to do college, and that benefits everyone.

[@JessieBanana]

I love Complexions! It’s so great to get to know her and the path she took to get there. It’s also great to know that things are changing and dancers don’t have to stunt their emotional and educational development to dance.

[@juliac1052]

I love your channel so much.. I am in pre point classes right now.

[@evelyncollins7]

Congrats!!! You can do it!!!

[@elanak6814]

Same!

[@parkereverman]

Same

[@ThePointeShop]

yayy! Thank you so much

[@juliac1052]

@@evelyncollins7 thanks, I really appreciate it!

[@NiceDrivewayy]

I danced almost 20 years ago, so in many ways, these videos aren’t applicable to my daily life. And yet, I can’t get enough! I love watching the process of pointe shoe fitting and your passion for it. This video, in particular, with your advice and knowledge around post-secondary education is so needed in the dance world!

[@rebeccashetler2861]

Wow, Megan's feet are amazing! I love that she was able to go to college and still dance. Thanks for sharing!

[@annemariechatzopoulou442]

See you again my favorite Josephine! I'm not gonna lie° I was shocked when I saw your video because I don't think it is the easiest thing in the world having SO strong feet that can murder a point shoe in really short time. Anyway, hope you're happy and healthy and stay safe during these difficult days.. 🩰❤🧡💛💚💙💜

[@ThePointeShop]

Aw thank you so much! I hope you're staying safe and healthy as well!

[@randemmy8795]

This channel has taught me so much and finally I am getting fitted for pointe shoes this weekend!! Ps. For some reason pointe shoes are so satisfying lmao 😂

[@chroniclesofcarissa]

I'm in community College now, it has really helped with developing my technique and ballet. At the studio I went to, they never focused on ballet and it didn't help that I started older as well. College has helped me use my muscles and tendons correctly in order for me to prolong my career as a dancer. I'm so much stronger in college as opposed to when I was in the studio.

[@kaykomckayface1097]

I'm literally dead staring at the screen trying to tell what you chose for her. 😳😳LOL #shorttoeshigharchpromblem...

[@ramandeepnijjar8281]

Wow this was so interesting and insightful! I wish they offered more programmes like this in the UK. Because I am doing my A levels currently but I love to dance! And don't know whether to do a career in dance or do a degree in science as I adore both!

[@jangeltrain]

She has feet a lot like mine! She's also very high in the instep which I am as well. Super tough on shoes. I wore Russians for a long time despite having short toes because they were the only shoes hard enough to last me a full performance.

[@rosealielycan]

"College is where ballet dreams go to die" what a way to open

[@Larissacoriell]

I had great feet. Small, well proportioned, high arches. I went through pointe shoes like water and just kept wearing them after my teacher would tell me they were shot because I couldn't afford new shoes every other day lol. I would love to try going on pointe one more time though, now that it's 20 years later lol

[@lizzielogic]

I love to go on pointe idk y I love it so much but I have always found it so much fun ( I have been on point for 5 years I went on pointe when I was 6 and now I am 11)

[@mariechance5655]

Such overly flex feet are not a good thing, hopefully she works on strengthening those arches. Also... her teachers should have corrected her cramping her toes, you point the foot, not cramp. Have you ever looked into getting a double shank for problem arches?

[@foreverdancing3]

I TOTALLY AGREE! I didn't major in dance but I was able to take non major classes at college and i was introduced to so many opportunities to grow as a dancer. It was so great for my dancing and allowed for other career opportunities outside of dance.

[@na4o264]

so i have problems with this rn. I'm about to end high school and i'd love dancing ballet as a career, but I also want to go to college...i certainly don't have half the training that began had and I don't think im a great dancer either. Also I live in Mexico and opportunities here look way more narrow than in the US. im feeling such fear, im overwhelmed and very much stressed out. i really don't know what to do...i really feel lost...i even have dreamed about giving up ballet because I'm too old and too not good...

[@clairedellapenna]

go to college, this career is tough

[@kyliee8586]

I think you should list the pros and cons of each and then decide from there. Perhaps take a gap year and try to do more training or auditioning for professional companies since the longer you wait, the harder it’ll be to be able to go professionally in dance. During that year, if decide it is not for you, you can go to college for what you want to do or for a major that you can use for something related in dance (dance studio owner, instructor, etc).

[@mariemiel]

I always wanted to do ballet - but my mum said I was too clumsy and signed me for jazz instead :D Now, at 18, I've got repetitive knee issues and injuries caused by small kneecaps (five total dislocations + one surgery) so I'm largely unable to dance at all anymore, but I still love watching this channel because its so fascinating and informative! Yeah, its a little torturous because I know it could never be me, but its incredible to listen to and it helps me understand the nuances of the ballets I watch a little more.

[@andrewc.2952]

Jo you just have this wonderful gift of drawing people in and capturing people's attention in a topic that doesn't get much exposure to non dancing civilians. You are such an educator and teacher. Just... Wow. You've got such a way of communicating as well. People, this girl is going to wind up being one of the masters of pointe shoes down the road. Just you watch.

[@maggiemakgill]

"There is a piece to beautiful feet which is you snap shoes and have to buy a new pair" - Okay I don't know much about fitting ballet shoes (and I'm confused about why youtube keep putting this video on my list .. but I gave in an watched it), but this sound like ballet shoes aren't designed for ideal ballet feet. Which seems sort of dumb ...

[@emilybrown8782]

Omg, I am so glad I heard Megan's story about college! I am not in high school yet, but I constantly keep thinking about having to quit dancing to go to college when I am older. Thank you! Now I have a better understanding how I can do both!!!

[@krosa2471]

Excellent video with great information for dancers. I’m not a dancer of any kind but still love your videos.

[@ThePointeShop]

I love that!

[@thecatspajamas8918]

I have a friend who graduated from the Hartt School and got a BFA in dance pedagogy. Almost right out of school she won a position with Paul Taylor Dance Company.

[@bbatty9649]

I was a dancer when I was younger (not ballet) and my point was very very curved. It still is even though I haven’t danced in years. I had some people from my high school’s dance program tell me I could start pointe right then the first time they saw my point. I was so confused but watching this and seeing someone whose point is so similar to mine makes me feel so much better. I understand what they meant now 😂

[@hollyyuyi]

Her nose is consistently not under her mask and it BOTHERS me

[@nikkisweezea2388]

I did this 25 years ago, when Gaynor's were new and scary for most people, except I did the opposite. I wore my Gaynor's for anything that required a lot of balancing on one foot, mostly things with a ton of partnering, and wore paste shoes for contemporary stuff. As long as the box held up in the paste shoes, I was okay. And, I liked how the Gaynor's always had the same, reliable amount of support. Mine would die because the ribbons and elastics would rip out of the satin enough times, there wasn't anything to sew to any more and they became unwearable!! But, the shank and box would still be fine.

[@rxtchity]

I’m a young dancer and recently got my first pointe shoes, my teachers have said I have a beautiful arch and so did the fitters and I don’t really ever like- believe them or however you would put that but seeing this dancer’s arch makes me more aware of how good mine is.

[@lisawalder6103]

This might be a dumb and unrelated question but i've been wondering for months: (I have 0 clue about ballet so dont judge me) I cant imagine how a person goes on point when their second toe is the longest one. What do you do when you have that foot shape?

[@dawnaquick3329]

Megan has wonderful lines. She is clearly a strong dancer.

[@asolanara]

This video really spoke to me cause I'm now a non-traditional dance major and I'm always afraid that I'll be too old to get a job after I graduate. But I know that if I had graduated back when I was supposed to I would not have made it because I didn't know my body. Now I know it so much better and feel ready.

[@trevormontgomery9123]

Butler University dance program is an amazing dance program with an incredible faculty and exposure. We dance allllllll day everyday!

[@curlybanana4467]

OMG! I saw her feat and i was like oh wow she does have pretty feet... but once i saw her tendu i was like 😱

[@kristiinakorhonen6987]

Thank you for this video! I have the exact same feet as Megan and go through so many pointe shoes! I remember the frustration of walking into a class with a new pair and snapping the shanks during the first combinations.... 😂

[@pandancer9408]

I LOVE you and your channel!!!!! Your videos are entertaining and I have learned so much about pointe shoes because of you