Ballet Pointe Shoes-How to Pointe Your Toes

by Josie
(Philippines)

Ballet Pointe Shoes-How to Pointe Your Toes

Hi Odette

I'm Josie, 12 years old. I've started pointe shoes on October or September and I do 2 classes every week. One day, we took of our pointe shoes because we were gonna go home, my friend took of hers and her toe was bleeding on the middle part. "You curl your toes when you go up on pointe?" I asked her and she said yes. so does the rest of my classmates. I never tried bleeding on the middle part of my toes because I use the tip of my toes when I go on pointe. Is that correct to do that? or do I have to curl my toes? I tried curling my toes going on pointe but I can't..my box isn't big enough for it. so is it fine to use the tip of your toes when you go on pointe? or do you really have to curl your toes when you go up on pointe?


============================================

Reply by Odette
To:- Ballet Pointe Shoes-How to Pointe Your Toes


Remember, just like I did before I went en pointe, ballet students MUST take responsibility for their own strengthening prior to beginning pointe work.
Australian dancer, Lisa Howell has made a video which explains how pre-point strengthening works.
Don't leave it to your teacher!
You can watch this pre-pointe video
yourself here (just wait for the page to load up then the video is on the top right of the page).

Hi Josie,
Thank you for your message it's great to hear from you. When I was younger on pointe, curling my toes was something we never to do in our shoes. I'm sure we are talking about the same thing, but curling your toes in your pointes is also like crunching them. It is not so good to pointe your toes like this, as you must try to think of pointing your toes through your metetarsals by lengthening and elongating the toes.

You shouldn't have to curl your toes, they should be long and laying flat against your shoe. This is the proper way to pointe your feet and the safest way to prevent any injuries.

You can look at Lisa Howell's pre-pointe video above which will give you the most superb advice to make sure you are dancing flawlessly in your shoes.

If you are still unsure whether you're pointing your toes correctly or not, then you can send me a picture or ask your teacher to show you. Never be afraid to be the leader in your class and it is always fine to ask questions to be certain.

Best wishes,
Odette