Should I get these pointe' shoes?

I just recently switched dance studios, from an American ballet studio to a Russian studio. The Russians definately push you harder, I've even cried in class before when my teacher pushed me into full side splits. So they are very tough. I aske my teacher about pointe' work and she said I'm not ready because I need to learn more Russian teqnique. She said maybe in about six months or a year! I didn't think it was fair since I've been dancing since I was three and a half. So I searched online and found these pointe' shoes. They are from Grishko. They are called Demi Pointe- EXAM. So I researched them and found out they are for dancers who re not on pointe' yet and are not going to be on pointe for a while. It suggested dancers wear them six months before going on pointe'. They strengthen your ankles and calves and get you more used to wearing pointe' shoes. You can't go up on them like pointe' shoes so they can't damage my feet. So should I get them or not?

Should I get these pointe' shoes?
the Demi Pointe shoe is usually used for xam work. The most well known exams are the Royal Academy of Dance exams. For the higher grades the demi pointe satin shoes are required for female dancers to use during the actual exam. If you are looking to advance in ballet and want to train en pointe i think it would deffinitly be a wise decision to use them. It's true they will strengthen your feet. But don't be surprised when you get them though..... they are very hard like an actual pointe shoe. Before you wear them in class you will have to break them in, ask your teacher for the best way to do that. Also, the shoes will not be comfortable like your regular slippers, but they will get your feet ready for actual pointe shoes. Good Luck and don't forget to tape up your toes!
Reply:I had demi pointes when I was about eleven and I didn't really find them that great. I wouldn't bother really.


As soon as you get on pointe you will regret it! It hurts like hell!


Talk to your teacher about the shoes and see if he/she thinks its a good idea.





The Russian system is all about slow and steady and can be frustrating when you're young but is worth it in the long run because you have an excellent foundation to build strength on.


I learnt under that system too - and yes I cried all the time!





But you will carry the excellent training throughout your life in everything you do.
Reply:I would get them. They could be fun for home. I have been on pointe for a while and i didn't use them, but maybe they can help. Ask your teacher. If you don't like your russian class and want to go to pointe quicker, go to an american class. hope that helps :)
Reply:That's probably something you should ask your teachers. It sounds like a good thing but you never know. I never did make it to pointe' because my ankles weren't strong enough. Even with 10+ years of training. Shoes like what you're describing probably would have broken my ankles. Check and make sure your teacher thinks they would be helpful in preparing you. Also something to know - my teacher never told me directly that she had no intention of putting me in pointe'. She always told me 'maybe next year'. Definitely discuss things with your teacher.
Reply:i would.
Reply:Before making a final decision, definitely ask you teacher, after all she is the professional. It sounds like she knows what she is talking about. Readiness for pointe work has nothing to do with the number of years you've danced - it is an individual thing for every dancer. Due to physicality, alignment or poor muscle development, some dancers never make it into pointe shoes.





Ask you teacher for some constructive pointers to help speed up your progress toward pointe: what do you need to work on, what are your strengths as well as what are your weaknesses.





Just because you can go up on full pointe doesn't mean that you can't injure yourself; and injury could make going up later instead of sooner, or even not at all.
Reply:I think you should get in touch with someone from the American Studio. Stay working at the Russian one, for better training, but if they are discouraging your wants to be on pointe, talk to one of your old teachers and see what they think about these shoes. Maybe they could give you a better opinion, since they know how you move, and your capability.




freckles