Sheila Beelam

From what I understand, the hot yoga studios have heaters setting the room temp pretty high - I'm going to the studio to be a guinea pig once they're complete, but not sure how I'll cope as I love being near the air con in ballet class

"Daniel's Pointe shoe glue" does the job hardening the box £4.99 A few drops is all you need http://www.justballet.co.uk/shop/shoe-and-feet-accessories/daniels-pointe-shoe-glue/ http://www.pointeshoeglue.com/store/

After seeing Michelle's post about a trip to Turkey it got me wondering whether "hot ballet" exists? A friend is opening a hot yoga studio (I think it's called bikram yoga?) I've never tried it but she says the heat is good for deep stretching and gives a more effective work out...any opinions or experience?

Ah we spent our honeymoon there almost 20yrs ago - beautiful place - enjoy!

I too have been reading these posts and agree completely with DrDance I understand people take risks everyday in decisions they make and that these can be well thought out calculated risks but I cannot believe that partaking in a ballet class is worth any level of risk to one's health.

Taxi4ballet I laughed out loud at that wonderful post, thank you

Taxi4ballet there must be CCTV cameras in every place I've ever danced in the past 30years as you can obviously see them all - just as you described!

So true pups mum my pointe shoes have ribbons, invisible etastic over the top of the foot plus loop of elastic around the ankle. I probably don't NEED either elastic, but it's what I do to my shoes as my prep routine, and if not physically, then psychologically it my shoes feel secure!

Gaynor Minden do a clear elastic strip called Imperial elastic and this can be sewn either side of the centre back shoe seam, to loop around the foot http://www.justballet.co.uk/shop/shoe-and-feet-accessories/gaynor-minden-imperial-elastic/

Not boring at all Primrose, a wonderful insight, please keep them coming!

Just treated myself as an early birthday present to the Diaghilev book - thanks for the suggestion - now to look for some others!

Love capulets Fiz! Changed from Gaynors to these and they are the comfiest shoe I've ever worn. No pouches or wool, just built in cushioning. I seemed to knuckle in GMs after a while as the box would soften before the shank- had to harden with glue - not had this problem in Capulet and shank going strong after several months! They also survived a nail brush scrub before an exam - as the box isnt traditional construction you can get it wet withought softening and the satin stood up to scrubbing too! And cheaper than GMs!

Janet, I still chuckle when I think about it now and Mr B has never hit a post since...

Carrying on the car theme, my OH is a car fanatic - classic cars in particular. Unfortunately one day, many moons ago, he had his first ever prang in 20+ years, reversing into an "invisible" post...so our family car went into the garage for repair. I didn't have my own car at the time, so had to borrow one of his classics to get to work and I chose the hither to untested by me, Lotus. Pretty bright red classic two seater...lovely cruise along the seafront to work and parked as usual. After work headed back to car and drove 20ft to the end of the road, turned on to the main road, adjacent to local rail track and WHOOSH!! flames shot up the bonnet!!! Seriously the car just went up on flames!! I leapt out, flapped a bit...banging on doors of cottages lining the road...imagining commuter train flying past as car explodes...houses being blown apart...hopping up and down calling the fire brigade whilst watching OH's car disappear in flames! Fire brigade were there in minutes, told me cars rarely explode these days, unless they're on the tv...they told me to go to the pub on the corner and have a stiff drink whilst they sorted it out... Phone call to OH.."you pranged my car - I melted yours" ( the Lotus was fibreglass so the firemen literally shovelled the melted car off the road!) Whoops Nice G&T though

Have you tried Intermezzo socks? (Spanish make) http://www.justballet.co.uk/shop/adults/intermezzo-knee-high-socks/ Medium/Large would suit size 10 feet

Sore throat this evening and I NEVER get ill I think the ballet co forum should be quarenteened...

We have a selection on our website www.justballet.co.uk More styled being added this week!

Beautiful advert thank you! What struck me was how the ballet dancers feet were very much an extension of her legs, rather than feet at the end of her legs...hope that makes sense! I don't suppose you have any videos to share Anjuli?

I've been through Bloch serenade, then gaynors and now love Capulet shoes. I agree the Gaynor box tends to soften before the shank, but hardened mine with "Daniel's pointe shoe glue" from America (now stocked on our site as I couldn't find anyone selling it over here!) I used to use the propads with my blochs but find I don't need anything with the Capulet shoes and like gaynors, they last for a long time. I do 2-3 pointe classes a week and have had them for 6 months!

Thanks for the update - great to hear your friend is on her dancing path! - oh to be able to do class everyday! Heaven

What a lovely story Nana Lily, lovely to hear good luck swanprincess, whatever you decide! Sx

Ah hugs Clare I used to do a lot of brownie and guide holidays and homesickness was always worse at night and when they had free time. Then, as if by magic they were charging around the next morning with a smile on their faces and I'm sure little Charlie will be too Sx

Ha! Swan princess I love that feeling when you complete a turn and are still in pirouette position, AND on balance when you get back to the front, rather than my usual position of frantically falling into a closing position!!!! ...Shame it's only happened a handful of times, practice, practice, practice!

Oooh I love threads on turning - always searching for the secret answer to multiple turns!! Anjuli, I've just stood in the kitchen doing all your suggestions and was shocked by how much I automatically sit back and down when I prepare in 4th position I understand the reason for keeping weight forward, completely logical if you're going to be turning on the front leg - but does this mean when you plié in 4th you are not "in the middle" of your plié, but pitching forward - would this not cause the back knee and foot to roll forwards? First ballet class today in weeks and relieved my precious doubles from 4th are still there but am now wondering how I'm managing to turn them!! Maybe if I practice Anjuli's techniques they will be trebles soon!! Sx

Why don't you put them on the for sale section on this forum, I'm sure somebody will be grateful for a bargain if it's the shoe they wear!