• Ok, pointe shoes
• You don’t just buy shoes put them on and dance. Not just any shoes will work
• There are a shit ton of brands and each brand has different models
• The shank is the arch support. The box is where your toes go the platform is the flat part on the tip
• THERE ARE DIFFERENT SHANK STRENGTHS AND THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT
• People with strong and/or very arched feet need stronger shanks.
• Pointe shoes break down. The shank is usually the first to soften or even snap. This can take days or weeks depending on shank strength, foot type, and how much you’re dancing. It took me, someone with arched feet in a hard shank taking one pointe class a day, about 1-2 weeks to need a new pair
• People personalize their shoes. You sew on your own ribbons and elastics. Some people add super glue to the shank and/or box to add support and extend the life. There are a lot of little tricks to pointe shoes.
• RIBBONS DO NOT GO ABOVE THE ANKLE
• Men don’t wear pointe shoes, or rarely do for unconventional ballet companies. This is because they’re heavier. Putting all your weight on such a small surface essentially doubles it
• People wear padding. special toe pads, lamb’s wool, athletic tape. If you don’t wear padding you WILL have 5 blisters by the end of one pointe class. You’ll get a few regardless, but padding helps. Your toe nails will be short and a little fucked up. You will have callouses. You will get used to it.
• You have to have at least 2-3 years of technical training and be strong physically before even starting pointe. The youngest you start is about 8.
• You wear a leotard and tights and MAYBE a sheer skirt for class. Warmups stay out of class but are essential. Booties are life. YUMIKO LEOTARDS ARE THE GUCCI OF BALLET
• You will be almost constantly sore
• Foam rollers. They help. Also little balls for your feet to roll out muscles
• Okay, now to the actual dancing
• Technique is the foundation. Turn out is the foundation of technique. You are always, at all time, turning out. Ie both of your feet point outwards. You constantly use your glute muscles and your upper thigh. Muscles « wrap around » you’ll often be told to pull up. You engage your core constantly to keep your BUT UNDER AT ALL TIMES. You’re essentially trying to keep your upper body in one straight line. This is the support for all your movement and balance. If you are not in plie, your knees are completely straight. If your feet are not connected to the floor or you are in pointe, they are pointed.
• With technique as a base, you add movement. Your head, arms, legs and upper body contribute to movement.
• Common injuries are ankle sprains, Achilles tendinitis, muscle strains, knee/hip malalignment. Most come from poor technique or overworking
• Anorexia is not as common as you think. And people aren’t as bitchy as you think
• Teachers are either Satan spawn or angels. There are two types of Satan spawn: generally nice but give a tough class, or just pure evil.
• YUMIKO LEOTARDS

“Life doesn’t always introduce you to the people you want to meet. Sometimes life puts you in touch with the people you need to meet – to help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you, and to gradually strengthen you into the person you were meant to become.”