AboutDianne M. Buxton Expertise I can answer questions about ballet technique, training, pointe shoes, mens training, diet, general health issues related to dance, artistry, performance, modern dance, rehabilitation from injuries, and teaching ballet. I have taught ballet, choreographed, been ballet mistress, and director, with dance companies. For any answers related to health questions will offer my experience, but will also automatically include "see a professional".
Education/Credentials Graduate of the national Ballet School of Canada. Taught at the National ballet School of Canada, York University, George Brown College and Harvard Universtiy.
Expert: Dianne M. Buxton Date: 6/12/2008 Subject: pointe shoes and thighs
Question hello,
i have a couple questions to ask.I am getting my pointe shoes in the fall(coming up soon),and i was wondering what type up padding you recomend.and what exercises should i do to build my ankle muscles.
my other question was, do you know of any good stretches to help slim down your thighs. i mean i have really strong legs but i was wondering if there was any stretches for them.
thanks Amy
Hi Amy. The above links are to articles I've written regarding both questions you asked. However, you can skip those if you want to choose from a bigger body of articles at http://www.theballetstore.com - most of them are in the blog area and they are all geared toward building strength for dancing in pointe shoes.(and the ones above are included too).
The Perfect Pointe Book is linked on the first page of theballetstore.com. I think it is a fantastic manual of strength and stretching for pointe work. It downloads with photos and videos to show you everything. I didn't write it - a dance medicine specialist wrote it for students to self-test all the areas of the body that they need to strengthen for pointe work, and then she gives charts for marking your progress as you practice. It is a manual you can use for years, every time you have new challenges.
How exciting that you are starting pointe! Padding for pointe shoes is very individual - there is padding for leveling toe lengths, separating toes, and just for general comfort. Try some on when you try shoes on, if they will let you. If the shoe fits well, padding will be easy - even a liitle Kleenex wrapped around the toes will work!
There are also articles on that same ballet site about getting exactly the right fit in pointe shoes, breaking them in properly, as well as a video of breaking them in properly.
All the best, Dianne. Please ask me if you have more questions after you've done your reading!
