Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 10/19/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hey Dianne!
I just started pointe not too long ago, and it's going really well!  I just have one question:  when I go up on pointe, it seems as though my feet are sickeling.  I asked my teacher about this and she said to switch out my pointe shoes every class, alternating feet to break in the different parts of the shoe, instead of having the front part (where all my weight is) broken in the most, which she said might have contributed to the sickeling.  But, when I asked around, others said that I should never switch out my pointe shoes and that I should always keep them on the same foot.  I'm hearing all different kinds of answers...which is correct?  Hopefully you can help me!  Thanks!

ANSWER: Hi Emily. Different things work for different people. I used to switch off my soft shoes and pointe shoes, but a lot of dancers I worked with never did.

Even now, I switch off my bedroom slippers....

So you can try it, and see whether it works for you are not. As long as you're not getting injured, a lot of experimentation can go on with pointe shoes!

What do you mean "the front part where all of my weight is"? That would make me think that you were putting more weight on your big toe? Do you mean when you go up now, you are sickling in or out?

Sickling out the working foot is okay, but never the weight-bearing foot.

I had a friend years ago, a soloist with the National Ballet of Canada. Her feet were highly arched but somehow always looked sickled a bit, inward, in Freeds or Gambas. She spent a couple of years dancing in Germany and switched to Eva's, and her feet  looked beautiful. Doesn't make sense....but you try different things till something works.

I hope I've answered your question sufficiently. Let me know if I haven't!

All the best, Dianne.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much!  
In answer to your question, my teacher always tells me to put my weight over my big toe.  (which is also why she told me to switch my pointe shoes out).
Also, when I go up, it looks (to me) that my feet turn inward.
Thanks for your help!
~Emily
P.S. I have the theraband elastics (by Bunheads)to help with the arch of my foot and overall point, and I was wondering if you could let me know some helpful ways to use the theraband.  
Thank you so much!

Answer
Hi Emily.

Here's an article I wrote that goes through some stretchy band exercises.

http://balletshoesandpointeshoes.blogspot.com/

When you go onto pointe, you should stay in the center of your foot. The big toe, usually being the longest, is going to bear the brunt of your weight anyway, but the angle of your ankle should not change.

All the best, Dianne