When should I start pointe dancing?
First and foremost, there is no need to rush through the steps. In order to begin pointe dancing, the dancer must first master the fundamentals of ballet. Of course, the basic positions and steps, but above all, she must have a good knowledge of the technique on demi-pointes with dance slippers. French dance teachers will tell you that learning on pointe begins around the age of 12 when the young girl has acquired these basics and has a sufficiently solid musculature. Among the professional dancers of the Ballet de l'Opéra National du Rhin (5 minutes away from my store in Mulhouse), who studied in China, Italy, Germany, Russia or elsewhere in the world, their training on ballet pointe shoes often started much earlier. They often have anatomical pre-dispositions that allow them to start early. Your dance teacher will tell you if you are ready to dance on pointe. If you still want to give a gift to a little girl who is not old enough or able to dance, I suggest you stall her with a pointe keychain or a nice pair of glitter pointe shoes from Merlet for a beautiful decoration in her room. Wearmoi's Beginners La pointe (cambrion XS) for ballet barre exercises is perfectly suited for a gentle start, as it is very flexible.
How to choose your ballet pointe shoes?
Like Cinderella, you need to try on your pointe shoes to find the ones that fit your foot perfectly, while taking into account your level. Avoid buying a second-hand pointe shoe because it is adapted to the dancer who sells it but not necessarily to your morphology, especially if she has already worn it.
A fitting in a dance store is highly recommended! Plan on a minimum of 30 minutes, but this can vary and last up to 2 or 3 hours depending on what your store offers and how difficult it is to fit you. Whether you are a very young dancer, a beginner dancer or an experienced and professional dancer, use the filters in the left column (on PC) to make a selection adapted to your level and your needs. Please note that once you have used your dance pointe, there is no return! You can try it out, preferably on a carpet or mat, and return it if it does not fit. Any broken or damaged pointe will not be returned.
Typically, Bloch ballet pointe shoes are pink satin or canvas and match the women's dance tights or girl's dance tights. For colored pointe shoes to match your show costume or a black pointe shoe or one that is adapted to your skin tone, I invite you to contact me, as it will surely be a custom made pointe shoe.
Does dancing on a pointe hurt?
You probably have the image of the dancing star, smiling and graceful. But to get to that point, it can be painful. When you try on your pointe shoes, make sure you have a toe cap to protect your feet. These must cover the two joints on each side of the foot that rub against the pointe. When fitting, you should not experience any excruciating pain or discomfort. If, in spite of your tips and the choice of an adapted pointe, you still have pain, try my dancer's foot care accessories which may relieve your pain. If not, change your pointe shoes!
Be careful! the pointe shoe is not a slipper! I often meet young girls who absolutely want large pointe shoes because they feel more comfortable in them. You can play your Cinderella, but for pity's sake, don't buy too big under the pretext of being more wide or having room to grow.
What is the price of ballet pointe shoes?
The price varies from 55 € to more than a hundred euros depending on the brand and the technology. In addition, there are ribbons and invisible elastics to attach your pointe shoes around the ankle. Count on an additional budget of minimum 5 € and of course your accessories for foot care for the dancer
