About Lisa Expertise I am able to answer nearly all questions about classical ballet technique, terminology, choreography, staging, history, education, costuming, pointe shoes, ballet slippers, etc. I enjoy answering questions, and can also answer most questions about other types of dance technique,(especially modern and jazz) or other things regarding dance in general. I won't answer questions better left to a medical professional.
Experience I am a former professional dancer, retired due to injury, and have been teaching at the pre-professional level for 15 years. I have staged, choreographed, and directed full-length ballets. My specialty is ballet, although I also teach modern technique (classical & contemporary), lyrical ballet, and jazz. My students have gone on to major in dance and/or dance professionally all over the world, at programs such as Alvin Ailey, Richmond Ballet, School of American Ballet, and American Ballet Theater,to name a few.
Education/Credentials In addition to my professional performance experience and years as a teacher, I also have a minor in Dance, and have attended numerous teaching conventions and workshops. I also research ballet technique and history now for fun!
Expert: Lisa Date: 5/22/2008 Subject: I really want a better ARCH!!!!
Question Hi my name is Crystal and my arch is okay but I really want to improve it more, and I got this thing with my feet, my big toe won't arch down like my other toe's. What should I do to improve?
Answer Hi Crystal,
As far as your big toe goes, there might not be much you can do to change it. Perhaps you have a double jointed toe, or maybe it's just oddly shaped (it's not as uncommon as you might think) and it just doesn't seem to fall into line with the others. You should think of lengthening your toes when you point your foot, rather than curling them under, and that may help with the line of your foot a bit.
As far as improving your arch goes, you cannot change your bone structure, which is the main thing that determines the arch of your foot. You can, however, strengthen and improve the muscles and other things that go into supporting the bone structure, and if those improve, the look of your foot will improve, too. These improvements, though, happen over a long period of time, and are not immediate, so you need to think in terms of months and years instead of weeks. Do a lot of ankle circles and plie releve. Every time you rise to releve, make sure you are in the highest releve possible. Never cheat or take shortcuts on this, and keep up with the ankle circles and many releves. Good luck!
