Sheila Beelam

Ha! I relate to JCJCs comments so much - I wasn't able to go to ballet as a child as ballroom dancing was considered more "useful" as a life skill and funds were limited.. so once I had my Saturday job I paid for my own lessons...then through uni, motherhood, umpteen accountancy exams, it was ballet classes that kept me sane. It was and still is , the only time my brain switches off from work, parenthood, etc as you have to focus completely on what you are doing. When I had two toddlers, worked full time and was studying for exams everyone thought I should stop dancing...? Why would I stop that? It was my release...And preserved my sanity Now my eldest is in the middle of her gcses I completely understand and support her need to go to ballet class, though OH has taken some persuading! I'll stop rambling, suffice to say, ballet is addictive

Interesting thread...I conclude that ballet is a an art form and like many art forms, beauty is in the eye of the beholder My friend is in her 50's and when she does a grand jete she hovers in the air, as Anjuli describes, it is amazing to watch as it looks like she is defying gravity & just hanging in the air - her legs? ...they're at about 120 degrees but the effect is still breathtaking

I agree a fb page would be great, there's certainly demand! I have two pairs of character shoes in a size 7 £5 each and probably a drawer full of other stuff once I start looking

Hi spannerandpony I bought several pairs online to try with my teacher and I got lucky Here's the link to the site: http://www.capuletworld.com/capuletstore/index.php?app=gbu0&ns=prodshow&ref=pointed3o There's a stockist locator so you can get fitted in a shop and check with DDs teacher first ))) I've had mine for about 9 months and do pointe 3x week. I bought a new pair for exams last Dec and this April, but as the box isn't traditional construction, I was able to get a soft toothbrush, some washing up liquid and give them a gentle wash - washed ribbons too and they looked like new and just as hard! Sx

I tried gaynors but then swapped to capulets and love them! They are similar to gaynors in their length of life and have a special foam padding inside that reacts to impact, so protecting the foot - the result is no padding, pouches or blisters, just a foot and a shoe (but still love my grishko soft blocks!)

Good luck from us too x

Hi NL No problem, we got the plates from here: http://www.iontocentre.com/iontophoresis/index.html They are really helpful - rang up and spent about 30 mins on the phone with me as i knew nothing about them. They also do a 3 month guarantee - if they don't help with the problem, you can return for a refund - which is great given the cost! We went for the £325 model with the addition of under arm pads. Non DD saw a difference after about 10 days, so would definitely recommend it. She's now slipped back in her use of it and needs to start again, but once you get to the "maintenance stage" you can use use once a week for 10-15 mins to keep sweat at bay. Non DD was offered a course of treatment with the plates on the NHS, but it meant travelling quite far to the nearest surgery that had them, and the initial use is about 3 time a week and it meant time out of school so we opted to but instead. There was also a waiting list of about 2 months... It's certainly transformed the life of my osteopath who has to touch people daily and couldn't do it with sweaty palms!! Hope this helps Sheila x

Hi My non DD has hyperhydrosis and suffers badly with her hands, arm pits and feet. At 13, and very active in sports, it really did dominate her life. Then she was advised to try Anhydrol forte and it's really helped. It's available at the chemist for a few pounds without prescription and looks like a regular roll on deodorant. But it is amazing! You put is on at night and wash off in the morning - use for 2 days then leave off for 2. You need to be careful though and moisturise the skin as it can cause the skin to crack if used too much. You can also get a powder which our gp prescribed but this wasn't strong enough for non DD. We also decided to get the plates from Iontocentre. You place your hands or feet in and have had good results with no noticeable side effects Feel free to pm me or if your daughter has questions - I can ask my daughter - it's hard for them to talk about - I didn't realise it was a medical condition until my osteopath noticed her hands were sweaty in winter and asked her about it - she suffered from the condition and was keen to help. I'd just laughed it off prior to this telling my daughter it was just the way she was - she'd always had sweaty feet as a baby - she then opened up about how horrible it was not wanting to hold anyone's hand etc and I felt awful!! Anyway, hope something in this ramble helps

The Muse shoes look lovely - looking at their website http://mdmdance.com They are designed to give the resistance and support of a full sole ballet shoe, but the aesthetic line of a split sole shoe. I've spoken to one of the guys at Muse and they are hoping to be able to stock these to retail outlets in Europe from September this year Can't wait to try!

I want Muse Shoes

What about soft blocks? Any votes? As I mentioned above, I wear Grishko and my daughter wears bloch - any other recommendations? Also, has anyone experience or opinions on Sansha pointe shoes - I've never used these, but I have the wholesale brochure and there are 15 different styles!! PLUS some rather lovely stage pointe shoes in decorative coloured fabric - flowers, gold lace effect etc - Anybody tried these?

Thanks Janice and Ellen - is this just Grishkos? They won't let me stock there shoes as there is already a shop within 9 miles that they deal with. It's such a shame as I wear Grishko soft blocks and my daughter wears Grishko pointe shoes!! Annoyingly, the shop never has our sizes in stock and we have to wait weeks for them to come in, so some planning is needed! We will be stocking other grishko items, as the trading restriction is only on shoes. Aileen I've not heard of Muse, (other than the band!) so off to investigate!

Yes, it's showing them as "unread". If you prefer send me your email address at justballet@beelams.co.uk and I'll send them that way

I assume so..I have an envelope at the top and I sent a couple of messages re grishko satin shoes via the "envelope"

Did you see my inbox message Celb? Sx

Hi Celb I'm working on Pillows for pointe! I approached them a few weeks ago, but they wouldn't stock me directly until things are up and running (July 12) But I do have another wholesaler who stocks their products. I'll report back as soon as I have more info! Sx

Wise words as always anjuli...agree completely

Im a "normal" size 12 with 34E chest and a post baby bump...(yes my babies are 13 & 15...but it's still a baby bump!) but several times a week I pour myself into pink tights and leotard...so I understand and agree why are there no magic leotards????? Leave it with me

Thanks Julie and so lovely to hear your son is dancing and living his dream! So much of the discussions here are about children/teenagers struggling with exams and auditions, so great to hear of somebody making it to the "other side"

Thanks RK & taxi4ballet, would love to go on a pointe shoe course - I've been very lucky with feet and pointe shoes, never had any problems at all, but I see so many girls suffer in class... when we find premises I'll deifinitely investigate this - in the meantime I'm still waiting for Grishko rep to get back to me! Aileen I have read the beginning of the thread, will go and check the updates! Julie, can I ask what age your DS is? For the jazz pants are boy's the same as girl's? Forgive my ignorance but I just have a DD! I assume a stretch Lycra (non shiny?) Flared? Straight legged? v front? how about selling them in normal, long or short? I'm tall, so mine are always too short and my hubby has very short legs so it's a good job he's never wanted to wear jazz pants Thanks again, you guys have been amazing! I can't say how much I appreciate your input!! Sx

Myself and my daughter have always done RAD but recently started IDTA as well. Its a very different syllabus, we've just done the IDTA inter exams, following the RAD exams last Dec. Results out in a week or so..... :/ The IDTA syllabus was so much shorter! Far less technical, more "dansy" From what I've heard IDTA teachers are going to be able to teach RAD syllabus too...mnot sure of the ins and outs but I will ask my IDTA teacher

Be warned Fizz, ballet class is addictive and takes over your life....like you didn't know

Forgot to say that tonight my DD mae me laugh tonight as she told me she thinks she was born tired - I pointed out she was born a week late and so had probably overslept from the word go!

my non-dancing daughter suffers from mouth ulcers when she's run down - she does lots of netball and athletics, which take their toll. She uses bonjela and a liquid she dabs on them, beginning with A that I've forgotten the name of...so I started googling to find the name of it and came across this article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1176600/Five-best-mouth-ulcer-remedies.html Now I take everything Daily Mail says with a large pinch of salt, but may be useful - I've not heard of any of their recommended products. Re the exhaustion, my DD is also often very pale when dancing and has had fainting episodes, but thankfully never passed out in class - just about to. We have concluded this is partly due to holding her breath when dancing - cue Anjuli's post about this very thing! I think at 16 (DD) or 13 (Non DD) life is tough - GCSE's, periods, insomnia, high levels of exercise, sporadic or faddy eating....it's a wonder our teenagers are still standing! I agree with the above though, porridge, bananas and water work wonders! Sx

Hi Pups-mum Ribbon by the metre is a great idea - I have done the same thing as you and I also have a reel of ribbon from several years ago that is crispy and nasty in texture and has also been sitting in our craft cupboard! I've ordered both pointe shoe ribbon, narrow elastic and invisible elastic by the reel (I can assure you of the quality of this one, samples will be available!) Iwas going to sell it in shoe "bundles" but as everyone's needs are different, I thing selling it be the metre or even half metre is what we'll do! Grishko, unfortunately will not stock me with shoes until I have a high street shop - hopefully this will happen by the end of the year. They will supply clothing, so reviewing those at the moment. As for hairpins, we're doing the Bunheads range and also putting together a "bun pot" or "bun bag" - with bun ring, pins, grips and nets inside - people can chose from a screw top tub or small drawstring bag. Personally, I know that pins will always end up at the bottom of the bag - either ballet of hoover bag, but at least if there is a specific container, there's a chance! ...maybe I should magnetise the bag or pot!!!! Thanks for your good wishes