I love gaynor minden, they just work for my feet :) I am Russian trained, not sure if that makes any difference, but my school was completely accepting
Hi, Katie :-) Thanks for your opinion and comment on Gaynor Mindens, and for admitting you have never used them, and not just bashing them because of a rumour. What you stated about certain schools (especially NYCB) and others that have a longstanding relationship with Freed, for instance is relevant - however, it has less to do with dance as it does business. Truth be told, many girls have to settle for ill fitting shoes and use countless tools, padding, etc. just to get an ok fit, and then the shoes are DEAD. Companies make a fortune off these cheaply made shoes in constant need of replacement. Every school in Russia is now using them because of these reasons! If they are good enough for the Bolshoi and the Mariinski, I think students everywhere deserve to have well fitting shoes that don't have to be replaced every few weeks and don't cause unnecessary pain and deformity over the years. For dancers like myself (including Gillian Murphy) who have "problem" narrow, feet, Gaynors provide second-skin fit and comfort that no other company is capable of even if you're already a professional and can have your shoes totally customized to YOUR foot. GM provides that to everyone! (Even monogramming)! A custom order can include things like the Sculpted fit for feet that are diamond shaped, so they hug the foot for dancers with disappearing heels (severe tapering from widest point to heel). They look beautiful on any foot IF they are fitted correctly! Very streamlined, unlike many others out there made mostly for average to wide feet. In addition, they don't cause the long term damage (bunions, corns, blisters, etc.) because they are made of materials that don't rub, and a proper fit doesn't deform feet. Also, they encourage proper alignment of the foot. The fact is, they are NOT a "cheater" shoe - they promote foot health and protection by being perfectly fitted and not made of cheap paste and rough canvas. This will also ensure the best dance ability, since most dancers are constantly fighting their shoes, or buying a new pair after the (finally) well fitting ones die. They are economical, since they last up to eight times longer for only $30 more per pair. The shoemaker who owns the company is extremely knowledgeable and can make ANY changes to accommodate any kind of fitting issue! More narrow heels, for instance, wider platform on narrow box, the options are unlimited - just call GM's NY office and speak with them. (You don't absolutely HAVE to go there to get these things done, either)! There are FIVE shank strengths from dead to "hard" (which is still softer compared to "hard" new pointes in other brands). If you want to build more strenghth, simply get a softer shank. They don't break down, so make sure you get the correct shank for your level of fitness. In actuality, dancers including the countless professionals and myself notice that our feet are stronger, not weaker because there is a resistance that you are always working. Every school in Russia is now using them because of these reasons! If they are good enough for the Bolshoi and the Mariinski, I think students everywhere deserve to have well fitting shoes that don't have to be replaced every few weeks and don't cause unnecessary pain and deformity over the years. I think the "cheat" rumour is pretty much gone, now that it has been disproven by dancers who have actually gotten a correct fit and would never go back. Every other athlete gets to have better shoes to enhance the natural ability and protect their feet, why do ballet dancers deserve any less?
"Focusing on the supporting leg" really helps! Really Looking forward to your extension strengthening videos. Wish everything goes well for your in NY :)
Katie, I just love you. I don't dance anymore, so a lot of this doesn't apply to me, but I still don't miss a video. I look forward to New York vlogs! Thanks for being so lovely, not just on the outside but inside as well. :)
I've seen a number of people who have switched from gaynors to traditional pointe shoes with no issue. I think it's most likely a fitting issue, a lot of people get to strong a shank in Gaynor Mindens because they're being fitted as if the shoe will break in quickly (which it will not.) I see too many people who wear very soft pointe shoes with a pair of green bag strong shank gaynors.
For question number one: body proportions can be important depending on where you are. The more demand and prestige, everything counts, they will be very picky choosing the dancers because there is so much to choose from. In Russia it counts, oh it counts. just look at the ballerinas in the Mariinsky, notice who are the Principals. In the US, or in a small company requirements are lower, so there the shorter legs shouldn't mind so much.
Dear Katie, I really want to be a profesional ballet dancer, but I am afraid my parents will not support my decision to leave home and go to NY, let alone by myself. I know they want me to go to high school and college. I take classes in a profesional ballet school, and my teacher was one of Balanchine's favorite students. Would taking classes at my current school get me into a company? Or must I leave my home? Please help me!
I only take 2 classes a week and I just quit my contemporary class bc I want to focus on ballet. if I want to be a professional or get into like Houston ballet, should I start taking another class? or private?
I really like your earrings!! =) And thanks for your advice about Gaynor Mindens. It's good to know ahead of time that you need to get used to other pointe shoes again after using Gaynors.
Hi Katie, I've been dancing since I was three but it wasn't very intense training at all, but in the last couple years i've really rededicated myself to dancing. I'm 17 now and was just able to go en pointe. Do you think there is a possibility of me becoming a professional? Thank you so much for time, I really enjoy watching your videos
Hi Katie! I’m an adult getting back into ballet, and ultimately want to get back en pointe. I currently weigh about 170 pounds. Should I focus on losing weight for pointe or is it possible to dance at this weight without injury?
I have a question: When I hold arabesques my back gets very tight and it starts to ache a lot. My dance teacher says it's because I sink in my back. How do I pull up out of my back?
Maria Andrea Hi! Based on what my teachers taught me (I used to have the same problem), facing the barre or well in first position, try doing a tendu back visualizing your belly button lengthening out to the working leg, and lengthen even more until your reach an arabesque. Try to keep your back straight as much as possible, but it will of course naturally move forward to give space for the leg. Kathryn’s exercise on back strengthening also helped me to feel the lengthening of the leg and back muscle more rather than sinking and tensing into the position! Hope this helps 💖
Dear Katie, I have been told by my ballet teachers that I have promise, but I've been injured for the last 6 months, and have lost so much strength and confidence in my pointe work, and doubt I have a chance at getting into a company. Do you have any suggestions that could help me?
whenever I try to do daily stretches I always procrastinate and end up not doing them by the end of the day, and I am very busy. Btw you looked very pretty in this video!
Hi! I just found your channel and love it because you are such an amazing and interesting dancer and a person! You often mention what you wear based on your figure or color tones - would it be possible to do a video on different styles or colors that look better on different dancers? That would mean the world!!!
Thank you for your wonderful videos! I love doing your barres :) I have a question for the next Q&A video: Do you have any advice on storing and transporting a rehearsal tutu? Thanks!!
OMG I love your videos, I think you're amazing! But I just wanted to ask you a question, I've always loved ballet since a can remember but I never had the chance to take a class because I couldn't afford it, but now I have the chance to take classes,I'm 16, you think is to late for me to start dancing? I've taken some dance classes in the past year but all that I can dance is Salsa, Merengue, Paso Double and stuff like that. I really appreciate it if you answer me!!! Thank you :3
Sophia Beresford I am not entirely sure if it is absolutely mandatory, but if you don't wear Freeds, you have to get them yourself. SAB provides 2 pair a week for a very low cost. So most students do.
Hey, if you ever need a studio space to rent in Toronto, Canada, DanceTeq has 3 great studio spaces for rent, right downtown on Queen st. Lots of natural light, exposed brick etc. (Just in case you are ever this far north.) I know they would be thrilled to have you, being the super star that you are :)
I always hold my upper body very tensely and can't seem to relax. My arms look stiff and my shoulders come up in second and fifth high. My dance teacher is constantly telling me to relax and breathe, but even when I do I must not relax completely because I still look tense. When I do manage to relax I let go of my core and lose all of my upper body alignment. Do you have any advice? I've been struggling with this for about a year now and since I'm spending so much time trying to figure it out I've started paying less attention to other parts of my training.
I was wondering your opinion on stretching your feet & getting foot stretchers as they can be quite pricey.Do you think they do improve your feet? I also wanted to know if they can hurt or damage your achilles tendon?Love your videos!
Hi! I know I'm not Katie but I think I can help! :) I have a foot stretcher now, and honestly I think it is a waste of money unless you already have naturally good feet and/or naturally high arches. They definitely improve your feet with time (if you also strengthen them and roll them out). If you use one, please please PLEASE be careful! I pushed my feet too hard in them and didn't properly warm up and I ended up giving myself Achilles tendinitis! So yes, they can be dangerous to your tendon.
Rence G Sorry this is so late! I do NOT encourage people to use foot stretchers. They don't work and you could REALLY get injured. I would not recommend them at all.
I've been a gymnast all my life except I stopped last year. I have more muscular legs than the other girls and broader shoulders. Is there any way that I can fit in? I want to look like a dancer.
I started ballet when I was four, I took a break for two years when I was eight (😭), resumed when I was 10, and am still dancing. I am twelve and have very good teqnique and i have strong feet, legs, and core (not to brag), and I do exercises at home, but I am still not en pointe. If I don't start pointe until I'm thirteen, can I still be a professional? Any advice for me? (Sorry if this is a dumb question)
It's so weird that just a little while ago people thought that you have to have "the right body" to be a ballet dancer. Like my grandma, she wasn't even able to take ballet lessons because she didn't have long enough legs or the right feet to go on pointe. I mean that was in the early 50s but I always got really sad when she would say that. 😢
hi I love your videos they´ve been really helpful, I jus want to know if you think that I could still be a professional dancer? I am 17 years old and just started with ballet and jazz clases, this is what I really love but I couldn´t star dancing when I was younger because of economy problems and stuff, my parents don´t want me to but I can´t imagine myself doing something else, I asked my teacher about this and told me that it is never late but my career will be not very long. I´d like to know what you think about, if there is some orthography mistakes sorry Im still learning this language
Kenya Candelario they really aren’t. I believe that a dancer should have at least three or four years before they try Gaynor Mindens because the shoe does a lot of the work. If you use Gaynors when you are a beginner your will not be able to develop the muscles in your feet correctly :)
God you answered my question(the gaynor monden one) !! Thank you :) yeah, i really would like to try to enter in a company when I'm older, but I leave in Portugal, and here ballet isn't even a sport.. I don't have money to go to some competition and I wouldn't go because I don't feel prepared.. But I wprk has much as I can, because I really wnat to be a ballerina but my mom and dad don't support me.. do you have any advise? Thank you!! love your channel and your dancing!
The thing with Gaynor Minden shoes, is because the shank comes pre-arched, the shoe automatically pops you up en poine without using much strength from your ankles and feet. This is why it is so difficult to come off of Gaynor Minden's- the muscles that dancers use to get onto pointe are out of shape. Also- be sure you are 100% sure you like these shoes because they are usually non-refundable, even if you don't even sew them. Good luck!
My experience with Gaynor Mindens is very different from most people's. I have been using them for almost 1 year and they helped tremendously with my alignment. In fact, I recently had to dance in Russian Pointes again (long story) and was surprised at how much I had improved since I last wore them. I find that I lot of people choose a shank strength that's too stiff for them, and then the shoe makes them pop into pointe. My opinion is that if you feel that your Gaynors are popping you onto pointe, you need a more flexible shank.
Eu vivo em Portugal também, e ballet aqui não é desporto porque é uma arte ;) Mas existem bastantes sítios em Portugal onde o ballet é praticado de forma séria e vocacional. Se quiseres falar, eu posso te ajudar. Que idade tens?
Gisela Ferreira peço desculpa, só vi agora 😕 eu ainda sou nova mas no Porto nao ha assim tanta coisa.. gostava de participar em concursos por exemplo... É claro que é uma arte! E se fosse so pela minha opiniao a mais bonita das artes ahah, mas as coisas em inglaterra, por exemplo, seriao muito mais "faceis" em termos de concursos ou trabalho em ballet classico quando chegasse a altura.. aqui nem trabalho como bailarina há.. Pelo menos em Portugal o ttabalho em Classico é mesmo pouco..
Actually...age no longer counts. There are a number of ballet dancers who started WAY older than their 30s who actually got HIRED later in life. In fact, there was 1 ballet dancer who was 55 and became a principal dancer for a well known ballet company.
Graceful_Ballet - well I started when I was 12 (13 now) and my teacher says we will probably go for a fitting around Christmas time. Although I feel this is very early. I have been dancing for around a year now
I love gaynor minden, they just work for my feet :) I am Russian trained, not sure if that makes any difference, but my school was completely accepting
Hi, Katie :-)
Thanks for your opinion and comment on Gaynor Mindens, and for admitting you have never used them, and not just bashing them because of a rumour. What you stated about certain schools (especially NYCB) and others that have a longstanding relationship with Freed, for instance is relevant - however, it has less to do with dance as it does business.
Truth be told, many girls have to settle for ill fitting shoes and use countless tools, padding, etc. just to get an ok fit, and then the shoes are DEAD. Companies make a fortune off these cheaply made shoes in constant need of replacement.
Every school in Russia is now using them because of these reasons! If they are good enough for the Bolshoi and the Mariinski, I think students everywhere deserve to have well fitting shoes that don't have to be replaced every few weeks and don't cause unnecessary pain and deformity over the years.
For dancers like myself (including Gillian Murphy) who have "problem" narrow, feet, Gaynors provide second-skin fit and comfort that no other company is capable of even if you're already a professional and can have your shoes totally customized to YOUR foot. GM provides that to everyone! (Even monogramming)!
A custom order can include things like the Sculpted fit for feet that are diamond shaped, so they hug the foot for dancers with disappearing heels (severe tapering from widest point to heel). They look beautiful on any foot IF they are fitted correctly! Very streamlined, unlike many others out there made mostly for average to wide feet.
In addition, they don't cause the long term damage (bunions, corns, blisters, etc.) because they are made of materials that don't rub, and a proper fit doesn't deform feet.
Also, they encourage proper alignment of the foot. The fact is, they are NOT a "cheater" shoe - they promote foot health and protection by being perfectly fitted and not made of cheap paste and rough canvas. This will also ensure the best dance ability, since most dancers are constantly fighting their shoes, or buying a new pair after the (finally) well fitting ones die. They are economical, since they last up to eight times longer for only $30 more per pair.
The shoemaker who owns the company is extremely knowledgeable and can make ANY changes to accommodate any kind of fitting issue! More narrow heels, for instance, wider platform on narrow box, the options are unlimited - just call GM's NY office and speak with them. (You don't absolutely HAVE to go there to get these things done, either)!
There are FIVE shank strengths from dead to "hard" (which is still softer compared to "hard" new pointes in other brands). If you want to build more strenghth, simply get a softer shank. They don't break down, so make sure you get the correct shank for your level of fitness. In actuality, dancers including the countless professionals and myself notice that our feet are stronger, not weaker because there is a resistance that you are always working.
Every school in Russia is now using them because of these reasons! If they are good enough for the Bolshoi and the Mariinski, I think students everywhere deserve to have well fitting shoes that don't have to be replaced every few weeks and don't cause unnecessary pain and deformity over the years.
I think the "cheat" rumour is pretty much gone, now that it has been disproven by dancers who have actually gotten a correct fit and would never go back. Every other athlete gets to have better shoes to enhance the natural ability and protect their feet, why do ballet dancers deserve any less?
"Focusing on the supporting leg" really helps! Really Looking forward to your extension strengthening videos.
Wish everything goes well for your in NY :)
Katie, I just love you. I don't dance anymore, so a lot of this doesn't apply to me, but I still don't miss a video. I look forward to New York vlogs! Thanks for being so lovely, not just on the outside but inside as well. :)
kellym587 Thank you so much!
I've seen a number of people who have switched from gaynors to traditional pointe shoes with no issue. I think it's most likely a fitting issue, a lot of people get to strong a shank in Gaynor Mindens because they're being fitted as if the shoe will break in quickly (which it will not.)
I see too many people who wear very soft pointe shoes with a pair of green bag strong shank gaynors.
For question number one: body proportions can be important depending on where you are. The more demand and prestige, everything counts, they will be very picky choosing the dancers because there is so much to choose from. In Russia it counts, oh it counts. just look at the ballerinas in the Mariinsky, notice who are the Principals. In the US, or in a small company requirements are lower, so there the shorter legs shouldn't mind so much.
Joana it shouldn’t matter that much
The dance studio I'm at currently at only has 1 dance class a week. How can I get more training? Should I switch studios? I love your videos!
My very first pair of point shoes were gaynors.My feet are adorably strong a my feet touch the floor when I pointe.I swear by gaynors
Dear Katie,
I really want to be a profesional ballet dancer, but I am afraid my parents will not support my decision to leave home and go to NY, let alone by myself. I know they want me to go to high school and college. I take classes in a profesional ballet school, and my teacher was one of Balanchine's favorite students. Would taking classes at my current school get me into a company? Or must I leave my home? Please help me!
Yay!!! I love these q&a's.. I would like know how are the Block Eurostretch Shoes working out for you?
Michael Han I still love them! They are my new shoe.
I only take 2 classes a week and I just quit my contemporary class bc I want to focus on ballet. if I want to be a professional or get into like Houston ballet, should I start taking another class? or private?
Can u do a video about your favorite warm ups? Like your equipment and clothing you use to warm up with
Cat May Yes! Coming soon.
I really like your earrings!! =) And thanks for your advice about Gaynor Mindens. It's good to know ahead of time that you need to get used to other pointe shoes again after using Gaynors.
Hi Katie,
I've been dancing since I was three but it wasn't very intense training at all, but in the last couple years i've really rededicated myself to dancing. I'm 17 now and was just able to go en pointe. Do you think there is a possibility of me becoming a professional?
Thank you so much for time, I really enjoy watching your videos
You should put together a video of your old dance videos when you were younger! I would LOVE to see that! :)
Nina & Siamara Yes! I will DEFINITELY be doing that!
I hope this is okay to say, but your hair is looking beautiful! I can really tell how much healthier it's becoming as your condition improves :)
Hi Katie! I’m an adult getting back into ballet, and ultimately want to get back en pointe. I currently weigh about 170 pounds. Should I focus on losing weight for pointe or is it possible to dance at this weight without injury?
4:44 Kathryn Morgan, THANK YOU FOR THIS! :D
I have a question: When I hold arabesques my back gets very tight and it starts to ache a lot. My dance teacher says it's because I sink in my back. How do I pull up out of my back?
Maria Andrea Hi! Based on what my teachers taught me (I used to have the same problem), facing the barre or well in first position, try doing a tendu back visualizing your belly button lengthening out to the working leg, and lengthen even more until your reach an arabesque. Try to keep your back straight as much as possible, but it will of course naturally move forward to give space for the leg. Kathryn’s exercise on back strengthening also helped me to feel the lengthening of the leg and back muscle more rather than sinking and tensing into the position! Hope this helps 💖
Hey, I was just wondering when your class music would be available to purchase? I just can't wait to use it in the classes I teach.
Lewis Gardner I am definitely working on it. Not yet, but hopefully soon!
Dear Katie, I have been told by my ballet teachers that I have promise, but I've been injured for the last 6 months, and have lost so much strength and confidence in my pointe work, and doubt I have a chance at getting into a company. Do you have any suggestions that could help me?
Thank you so much for answering my question Katie!! You have great advice!
I love all off your videos! You should do more ballet hauls and stift like that! Ii would be AMAZING if you could do a before ballet routine 😊
Yes, a gran jete video would be lovely.
whenever I try to do daily stretches I always procrastinate and end up not doing them by the end of the day, and I am very busy. Btw you looked very pretty in this video!
Ainsley awesomeness Thank you!
I love these videos! Thank you Kathryn (Katie)
Hi! I just found your channel and love it because you are such an amazing and interesting dancer and a person! You often mention what you wear based on your figure or color tones - would it be possible to do a video on different styles or colors that look better on different dancers? That would mean the world!!!
TheFidget26 Yes! I am planning on a Color/Style video soon!
I absolutely love these videos! Thank you so much!!!
Thank you for your wonderful videos! I love doing your barres :) I have a question for the next Q&A video: Do you have any advice on storing and transporting a rehearsal tutu? Thanks!!
Alexandra Harrison Brilliant! Will answer it!
Like i said I am just starting ballet and I'm 15, when do you think i will go on Pointe?
722cupcake I agree with Kristine. You need to have about 2-3 years of ballet first and have enough strength.
OMG I love your videos, I think you're amazing! But I just wanted to ask you a question, I've always loved ballet since a can remember but I never had the chance to take a class because I couldn't afford it, but now I have the chance to take classes,I'm 16, you think is to late for me to start dancing? I've taken some dance classes in the past year but all that I can dance is Salsa, Merengue, Paso Double and stuff like that. I really appreciate it if you answer me!!!
Thank you :3
Priscilla Alfaro I don't think it is too late! I definitely think you should start ballet!!!
Any tips for not rolling on you pinky toes on pointe i can never feel it and my teachers always tell me i am
Also I go to PCS and I was wondering if you went there?
She went to SAB :)
Sophia Beresford No I didn't! But a lot of SAB students did. I did correspondence online high school.
My teacher wants me to get for fit what exercises do you recommend?
Thanks Katie you answered my back flexibility question. About pointe shoes, does SAB only allow their students to wear Freeds?
Yes, in fact, the NYCB provides the dancers with Freeds. Sorry this is late.
Sophia Beresford I am not entirely sure if it is absolutely mandatory, but if you don't wear Freeds, you have to get them yourself. SAB provides 2 pair a week for a very low cost. So most students do.
Hey, if you ever need a studio space to rent in Toronto, Canada, DanceTeq has 3 great studio spaces for rent, right downtown on Queen st. Lots of natural light, exposed brick etc. (Just in case you are ever this far north.) I know they would be thrilled to have you, being the super star that you are :)
I always hold my upper body very tensely and can't seem to relax. My arms look stiff and my shoulders come up in second and fifth high. My dance teacher is constantly telling me to relax and breathe, but even when I do I must not relax completely because I still look tense. When I do manage to relax I let go of my core and lose all of my upper body alignment. Do you have any advice? I've been struggling with this for about a year now and since I'm spending so much time trying to figure it out I've started paying less attention to other parts of my training.
I was wondering your opinion on stretching your feet & getting foot stretchers as they can be quite pricey.Do you think they do improve your feet? I also wanted to know if they can hurt or damage your achilles tendon?Love your videos!
Hi! I know I'm not Katie but I think I can help! :)
I have a foot stretcher now, and honestly I think it is a waste of money unless you already have naturally good feet and/or naturally high arches.
They definitely improve your feet with time (if you also strengthen them and roll them out).
If you use one, please please PLEASE be careful! I pushed my feet too hard in them and didn't properly warm up and I ended up giving myself Achilles tendinitis! So yes, they can be dangerous to your tendon.
Rence G Sorry this is so late! I do NOT encourage people to use foot stretchers. They don't work and you could REALLY get injured. I would not recommend them at all.
I've been a gymnast all my life except I stopped last year. I have more muscular legs than the other girls and broader shoulders. Is there any way that I can fit in? I want to look like a dancer.
How tall is to tall to become a professional ballerina?
I started ballet when I was four, I took a break for two years when I was eight (😭), resumed when I was 10, and am still dancing. I am twelve and have very good teqnique and i have strong feet, legs, and core (not to brag), and I do exercises at home, but I am still not en pointe. If I don't start pointe until I'm thirteen, can I still be a professional? Any advice for me?
(Sorry if this is a dumb question)
Lo you can do it but you must train and focus.
I'm 13 and starting ballet, I love it but how long do you think it will take to get on pointe? Will I be on it before I'm an adult?
Graceful_Ballet - probably about 2-3 years
Just depends
It's so weird that just a little while ago people thought that you have to have "the right body" to be a ballet dancer. Like my grandma, she wasn't even able to take ballet lessons because she didn't have long enough legs or the right feet to go on pointe. I mean that was in the early 50s but I always got really sad when she would say that. 😢
I am 15 years old and I just started ballet. I know I may be way too old to ever get in a company. but, do you think i am too old to start?
722cupcake I don't think you are too old to start! Misty Copeland, famous ABT soloist, started at 13. So I would say go for it!
hi I love your videos they´ve been really helpful, I jus want to know if you think that I could still be a professional dancer? I am 17 years old and just started with ballet and jazz clases, this is what I really love but I couldn´t star dancing when I was younger because of economy problems and stuff, my parents don´t want me to but I can´t imagine myself doing something else, I asked my teacher about this and told me that it is never late but my career will be not very long.
I´d like to know what you think about, if there is some orthography mistakes sorry Im still learning this language
Are Gaynor Mindens good shoes for pointe beginners?
Kenya Candelario they really aren’t. I believe that a dancer should have at least three or four years before they try Gaynor Mindens because the shoe does a lot of the work. If you use Gaynors when you are a beginner your will not be able to develop the muscles in your feet correctly :)
God you answered my question(the gaynor monden one) !! Thank you :) yeah, i really would like to try to enter in a company when I'm older, but I leave in Portugal, and here ballet isn't even a sport.. I don't have money to go to some competition and I wouldn't go because I don't feel prepared.. But I wprk has much as I can, because I really wnat to be a ballerina but my mom and dad don't support me.. do you have any advise? Thank you!! love your channel and your dancing!
The thing with Gaynor Minden shoes, is because the shank comes pre-arched, the shoe automatically pops you up en poine without using much strength from your ankles and feet. This is why it is so difficult to come off of Gaynor Minden's- the muscles that dancers use to get onto pointe are out of shape. Also- be sure you are 100% sure you like these shoes because they are usually non-refundable, even if you don't even sew them. Good luck!
emmzy121 thank you!!
My experience with Gaynor Mindens is very different from most people's. I have been using them for almost 1 year and they helped tremendously with my alignment. In fact, I recently had to dance in Russian Pointes again (long story) and was surprised at how much I had improved since I last wore them. I find that I lot of people choose a shank strength that's too stiff for them, and then the shoe makes them pop into pointe. My opinion is that if you feel that your Gaynors are popping you onto pointe, you need a more flexible shank.
Eu vivo em Portugal também, e ballet aqui não é desporto porque é uma arte ;) Mas existem bastantes sítios em Portugal onde o ballet é praticado de forma séria e vocacional. Se quiseres falar, eu posso te ajudar. Que idade tens?
Gisela Ferreira peço desculpa, só vi agora 😕 eu ainda sou nova mas no Porto nao ha assim tanta coisa.. gostava de participar em concursos por exemplo... É claro que é uma arte! E se fosse so pela minha opiniao a mais bonita das artes ahah, mas as coisas em inglaterra, por exemplo, seriao muito mais "faceis" em termos de concursos ou trabalho em ballet classico quando chegasse a altura.. aqui nem trabalho como bailarina há.. Pelo menos em Portugal o ttabalho em Classico é mesmo pouco..
Actually...age no longer counts. There are a number of ballet dancers who started WAY older than their 30s who actually got HIRED later in life. In fact, there was 1 ballet dancer who was 55 and became a principal dancer for a well known ballet company.
I'm 13 and starting ballet, I love it but how long do you think it will take to get on pointe? Will I be on it before I'm an adult?
Graceful_Ballet - probably about 2-3 years
Graceful_Ballet - well I started when I was 12 (13 now) and my teacher says we will probably go for a fitting around Christmas time. Although I feel this is very early. I have been dancing for around a year now