How to Make Ballet Slippers Comfortable

Pointe shoes don't have to be uncomfortable.

Pointe shoes are specialized ballet slippers for dancing on the ends of the toes, and watching a ballerina dance in them can be a breathtaking experience. Pointe shoes evoke a distinct aesthetic for classical ballet, creating an extended leg line and a weightless appearance. However, learning to dance on pointe is demanding, and the transition from soft slippers to pointe shoes can be painful and difficult. Over time you can develop your own process to make pointe work more comfortable, and learn to dance with joy and ease.

Instructions

1. 

   Pointe shoes are an integral aspect of the classical ballet aesthetic.

   Choose the right fit of shoe. Try several brands and styles of pointe shoe. The process of trial and error may be expensive as you may need to break in the shoes and dance in them for a while before you know if they truly fit. However, this process is worth the end goal of finding the pair with the greatest amount of comfort. Dance teachers often prefer to accompany first-time pointe students for fittings, though dance supply stores that carry pointe shoes will have an experienced and knowledgeable fitter available to help you choose your first pair. Do not buy your first pair online as the fit is very specific and you will need to try on several pairs to find the appropriate shoes for your feet.

2. Break in your shoes to fit your feet. Use methods such as bending the shoes with your hands or beating them with a hammer. Some dancers simply perform many releves to break in the shoes and make them form to their feet. Aim to make your shoes more supple than when brand-new, but still sturdy enough that they are useful. Pointe shoes deteriorate quickly and dancing in "dead" shoes can be uncomfortable as well as dangerous.

3. Use accessories to customize the shoes to your feet. As almost no one is completely symmetrical in both feet, you may need accessories in one shoe and not the other. Some dancers use cushioning to protect the skin on their feet from blisters or broken and bruised toenails. As a beginning dancer you may need more cushioning. As you continue to dance on pointe you will develop callouses that will protect your feet from developing blisters. Adhesive bandages, paper towels, bits of sock, lambswool, or specially made gel or wool pouches can help cushion the skin against the rough sides of the shoes. However, too much cushioning will negatively affect your dancing as it will put extra layers between your foot and the floor. Use as little padding as possible in your shoes and your feet will become tougher and more able to withstand the rigors of pointe work.

Tips & Warnings

• Cross-train to develop strength in your entire body. The more all of your muscles work to keep your body alignment "pulled up" and relying on your core muscles, the less weight will be on your feet. Don't rely on the shoes to hold up your body. Core exercises such as Pilates, yoga, Gyrotonic and swimming will strengthen your center and help your whole body move in harmony as you dance.

• Staying at a healthy weight will help take pressure off of your feet when on pointe, and will ease the pressure on your joints as well.

• Don't buy pointe shoes or attempt pointe dancing unless you have the approval of an experienced, knowledgeable ballet teacher. Pointe work is for only advanced dancers.

References

• "The Pointe Book: Shoes, Training and Technique, Second Edition"; Janice Barringer; 2004
• "The Ballet Companion"; Eliza Gaynor Minden; 2004
• "Suki Schorer on Balanchine Technique"; Suki Schorer; 2006

Resources

• Pilates Method Alliance
• Gyrotonic Health Network