beckyl

Thank you for the suggestions, guys. I live in rural Oxfordshire. think I have gone through just about every Gaynor fitting! Unfortunately the combination I need (size 10, N, sleek, #4 box) is only special order and I don't think it would work with my high profile foot. I am kind of leaning towards Freed as they can be customized totally: I think a classic pro with a soft shank or a classic light with an elastic drawstring might work. I am also wondering about a pair of custom Grishkos based on the Ulanova II (for tapered heels) with a soft shank and an elastic drawstring might work. The nova overall fit (length and width) works well but the profile is too low and the heel too big on the Novas (and the M shank too strong.) I guess if I need a soft shank I need a soft shank, right, no mater what level of pointe work I am at? I find it so frustrating as all I do currently is do roll throughs at the barre, I haven't had the confidence to try any echappees at the barre as I don't feel confident enough in my shoes yet!

I can, but I don't know how much more choice it would offer to be honest (given how much I have tried/tested already.) I'm hoping if I found that 'elusive' shoe with an elastic drawstring, narrow(er) heels and a softer shank it might be a winner! I feel like I know what I need but fitters are trying to put me in shoes that are too low-profile (I knew I should have said no to the Novas but the lady said they were an 'OK fit' but OK is not enough at this point!)

After a year en pointe I feel like I've never found 'the one.' I have very extreme diamond feet. For example, in Grishko I've been fitted in an XXXX to accommodate my wide forefoot but even a Gaynor sleek is too wide at the heel! The only way I can keep on a shoe is with ribbons, elastic and an elastic drawstring. I also have very, very sensitive feet (all over) and pronating, hyper-extending big toes and a high profile foot (well over 1 inch!) A few weeks ago I went to a small local dance shop. Though the lady was very nice, we didn't find 'the one' but I took some Grishko Novas in size 5.5, XXXX M to try. The shank is just way too hard for me, I cannot get it to conform to my arch at all and they are too low profile- my big toes are very unhappy after about 5 roll throughs (I am doing the intermediate foundation RAD) and after these 5 roll throughs the heels have practically fallen off despite ribbons sewn far back and elastic. So far I have tried (it feels like every shoe out there!) Bloch: Serenade, Alpha, Sonata, Aspiration, Synergy Grishko: 2007, Triumph, Fouette Gamba: 93 Capezio: Glisse Sansha: Recital Gaynor Mindens in various combinations Freed: Studios I've never put a pointe shoe on and felt it was 'the one.' I have brought some home (Bloch Serenade, Sansha Recital) but the Serenade was too short and severely bruised my toenails (despite this, would still not stay on at heels!) and the Sansha Recitals had too hard a shank and too long a vamp (couldn't get over the box) but did sort of stay on at heels. I'm not sure what the problem is, neither is my fitter. I feel like if I could get a shank that worked for me, the heel problem would get better. So far I have not got a shank to break in. The Novas are OK under the arch BUT I cannot get the shank to break in at demi-pointe at all. However, I am still a beginner to pointe so am worried about getting a soft or super soft shank. I tried the Gaynor Minden in pianissimo and honestly felt scared- I felt as if I might as well have been in a pair of demi pointe shoes, I felt no support at all. Are all super soft shanks like this? Also most soft shanks are special order so I feel like I'm taking a gamble as couldn't return them if I hated the shank. What would you do next? Thanks, Becky

Thank you, like I said that's interesting, I will ask my dance teacher about this, I'd much rather wear my regular slippers

This is really interesting, I'd prefer to do it in my ordinary slippers (leather, elastics.) How long ago was that? Thank you for the advice everyone

Thank you he new syllabus says split sole shoes are "permitted" at least! I may just get new ones nearer the time but they will be OK for class at least!

I am just about to start intermediate foundation classes. I know it won't matter so much for class but for the exam I need either soft blocks (which I don't like very much) or "pink shoes with ribbons." I have a pair of ballet shoes (newish) that are "champagne" coloured (you can see them here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Satin-ballet-slippers-leather-champagne/dp/B00J8TVAJE) they are distinctly peach in real life. How strict is the RAD definition of "pink?" (I am happy to get new shoes if they won't work obviously!) Becky

I do also practice yoga at home. I could definitely drop yoga but I feel like it's *me* time and I find it relaxing. But I would be willing to give it up for the right dance class. So to explain when I say 'en pointe' I mean I am a beginner BEGINNER. I can roll up onto pointe with two hands on the barre. I took up pointe to give myself an edge for auditioning for some musical theatre roles. It's like some roles require tap I would be possibly auditioning for roles that required extremely minimal pointe work. Definitely nothing above IF level and I don't really plan to progress any further than that.

thanks t_rose. I am also teacher training at the moment and working full time- it would be so mice to have weeknights free for studying!

Thanks. I live in an area where public transport isn't great too. This would mean if I did Saturday I would be only asking for 2 lifts a week, would give gas money and could get the bus home from my classes I hope it will really improve the situation.

I'm an adult beginner(ish) in my 20's. I'm hoping for a career (or semi-professional) in musical theatre. Ballet is not honestly my primary goal but I find open classes too hard as, try as I might, I can't remember the steps in the center (I'm fine at the barre.) I use yoga to increase my flexibility and core strength and really enjoy it. Pointe is 'lumped in' at my current ballet school. My only other option would be to do grade 6 followed by open class and then pointe. Those are all in one day. I really, really don't like tap but so many MT auditions are asking to see your tap skills now. That's why I figured doing a Saturday would mean I could do tap on the same day as ballet and MT class would really help. I'm waiting for a few more details about the classes, I'll keep you posted! Becky

Hi Anna, Yes, guess I could ask to trial. I'm planning on giving myself a 45 minute break in the middle because there is an 'audition technique' class that I'm not really interested in. I love your idea about jazz but my Tuesday class is the one I'm most in love with. I think giving up that would pretty much break my heart! And the jazz makes the tap bearable- unfortunately the tap class in musical theatre is a necessary evil! Jane- the class is split in three: there's a class, then conditioning, then technique. I've e-mailed to ask exactly what each of these entail as I'm only just en pointe (I'm currently only rolling up onto pointe at the barre.) Perhaps I could just attend some of the classes to begin with- maybe skipping the conditioning? None of the classes are compulsory- you just pay a flat fee for 'up to' 8 hours a day. Becky

Currently my September schedule looks like this: Monday: IF Ballet Tuesday: Jazz Wednesday: Yoga Thursday: Jazz and tap It's a lot of faffing around, organizing dinner around me, transport issues etc. and it's a giant headache! It's just not ideal. And there's no scope to increase this, this is me absolutely stretched to my limit, it's already causing massive issues in my family. A local dance school offers a training program all on a Saturday which includes 3 hours of ballet, 1 hour of musical theatre and 45 minutes of tap all on a Saturday in one location. The problem is it's literally one class after another. So while it sounds great in theory I'm slightly worried about the intensity (particularly the very sharp increase in ballet- class, conditioning and technique one after the other with no break.) What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance xx

Thanks for your quick response, Janet. I'm really nervous about the surgery. My toenails aren't infected (one small infection once) but are very painful- even a ballet slipper is sometimes excruciating! I know I need it done though, my podiatrist says so but se can't tell me how long before I'm back to ballet!

I am having some surgery mid-August to remove a thin strip from either side of both big toenails. I cant find much info on the internet about recovery time as it seems to vary. A very optimistic site said you could go back to sport in three days. Has anyone had any experience of this? I was wondering how soon afterwards I would be back to ballet? Thanks, Becky

Google is telling me it's channel number 254. Sky do change their channel numbers a lot!

Thank you for all your advice guys. I used to do sleek technique most days and did see amazing results (so it's completely possible I could go back to that.) I thought it did nothing for my core though. At least I now know I won't damage myself by doing pilates every day!

Thanks Happymum! I find that the routines I am finding (I use a particular website) is very, very ab-intensive. As a newbie to pilates is this the same for all pilates? I'm quite interested in barre 3 which mixes yoga, pilates and barre exercises but haven't tried it out yet.

Thanks. I remember reading it somewhere when looking for reasons for some stomach pain I was having. It was via a google search somewhere. All I know is my abs know I've had a workout after pilates!

My journey back to ballet is continuing! I'm almost feeling back to my usual self and am taking the time to exercise every day. I'm trying to mix cardio exercising (20-30 minutes of HIIT or circuit work) with pilates/yoga. I'm nowhere near back to fitness yet but I'm starting jazz classes next week and then I'm probably back to ballet the week after. Previously I did ballet coupled with ballet/barre fit type exercises which I really enjoyed. By contrast I find cardio especially things like aerobics very dull. However, doing so many plies, especially the way they teach it, at extreme speed really hurt my knees! Is there any harm in doing some form of ballet/barre fit every day? Or is it something that only needs to be done x times per week (I read somewhere pilates was not recommended more than twice a week as it's hard on your abs.) TY!

For various reasons I haven't been in the studio since February. My class has now re-started but I have recently had a health scare which meant I lost some weight very quickly. Thankfully I'm fine (if a bit mentally fragile!) I probably plan to go back to ballet soon (I have also temporarily had to put my jazz classes on hold.) Which ways can I build myself back up to it? Is it a case of some pilates and gentle yoga or do I launch myself back into ballet and ballet moves (and know my already tight hamstrings will hate me for it!)

Thanks for your suggestions, guys. Unfortunately I'm not having much luck with even getting graded classes, I think a lot of schools think it's strange I'm asking. I'm going to take a week or so to weigh up my options which so far look like either doing a ballet barre/pilates class (with no centre work) and/or switching to contemporary. I'm really not sure, I think I'll trial a few things in the next week and see what I like best in all likelihood

Thanks, Lin, I will look into that. I have a lead for a contemporary class that I can go along and try. I'm not sure if this is worth pursuing or how similar it would be to ballet in style?

I'm not sure about going back to my previous school but I could give it a try. I felt a little intimidated by my previous class as I felt like everyone was so much better than me, the class was crowded and I was just getting in the way. However, did really enjoy the ballet, especially the barre. But... I don't know I felt a bit... anxious? self-conscious when I was there?

Well we did grade 6 and 7 stuff mostly. Which was fine at the barre I could remember all the combinations kept up fine but I was lost and I mean lost in the centre, it was all just too much for me. We did different things every week (which I know is the basis of an open class) but I'd just about get one step, for example, I'd struggle and struggle and just master a pas de valse for example and then we'd do something different the next week and I was lost again. Bizarrely, the one week we worked on a modern combination I picked it up first time (as I go to a weekly jazz class where we learn a routine.) My teacher was shocked!