New to Pointe? Tips about sewing and breaking shoes in!

• • I have some questions, does it matter what stitch you use when sweing? And what are the most effective ways of breaking in shoes you have found? Amber Nichols, MT
• • Good questions, I do a stitch that probably has a name but I think I might have made it up:) I would have to make you a video to show you exactly how I do it, it ends up looking like 3 x’s on one side, and 6 straight lines on the other. If you try to make 3 x’s on one side, the other side will magically end up in 6 straight lines. I sew my elastics right where the drawstring runs around the edge of the shoe, my stitches go above and below the drawstring so that you can still loosen or tighten it if need be. I find this stitch to be very strong, and don’t ever run into problems with it. As far as breaking in your shoes, that’s going to be a lot of trial and error. The best thing for you to do is to just wear them for a while and see where you naturally need more give. You’ll eventually grab a pair and start bending and hammering away, but don’t do that until you know where your foot needs the extra give, nobody has the same feet. If your toes feel smashed together, try placing the palms of your hands on the top and bottom of the box and squeeze, flattening the box so it’s not so round. When you’re sitting, press the bottom of the shoe into your arch and see where your foot wants it to bend. You can even draw with a pencil on the bottom to see where it is. Then take your shoes off and GENTLY try to have them bend where the line is, but not too much! You don’t want to do so much to your shoes that they die quickly. Be patient and wear them until they’re dead. Once they’re dead (meaning you can’t safely wear them anymore because they’re too soft) then you’ll get a really good idea of what your feet did to them. You’ll feel where they bent after a lot of use, and where they got soft. Then when you get your next pair you can coax them in that direction. Sound good? Let me know how this goes:) xoxo Nikki   

Summer Intensive Programs- Nikki’s Interview with Dance Channel TV

Are you thinking of attending a Summer Program this year? Take a look at this video and hopefully some of your questions will be answered. Go to the ‘Contact’ page if you have any other concerns! Love, Nikki

Back Strength/Flexibility

If you have questions or comments, please go to the Contact Us page.

Hi Nikki! It’s Zhulin again. Sorry I haven’t written for a long time. I hope you had a wonderful summer! I was just asking if you knew any helpful stretches for your back. I am really stiff in my back and my teacher wants me to work on it, but she couldn’t think of a stretch. If you have any stretches that you think might help, please email me back!!! Thank you soooooooo much!!!!!!!
<3 you!!!!!! -Zhulin (the ballerina)

Hi Zhulin the ballerina*
Well!  In order to get a flexible back, you need to not only stretch it but strengthen it.
-Start by putting your leg on the barre in arabesque, directly behind you with both hands out to the side.  It’s a little tricky to get into this position, you have to hop a lot, but it’s really good for you.
Square your hips, and do 5 deep plies on your standing leg keeping your back UP!  After that try keeping your back right where it is and lift your foot off the barre just a little bit, hold for 5 seconds, then put it back down.  Do this 5 times. Then repeat it all on the other leg.
-Lay face down on the floor, put your hands on the ground next to your shoulders and arch up, straightening your elbows.  Don’t let your legs spread wide, keep them as close together as you can.  Now, take your hands off the floor and stay there!  If you drop down don’t collapse, wherever you drop to stay there for 5 seconds then put your hands on the ground and push yourself all the way back up so you can try again.  Do this 5 times.  I did this until I could take my hands off and not drop an inch:)
Having back flexibility is great, but if you don’t combine it with strength you won’t be able to make use of it.
Hope these help, keep me updated*
All my love,
Nikki (the ballerina:)

Hey Nikki!!! I just wanted to thank you because I tried those stretches you recommended, and when I went to my ballet class today, my teacher thought I was doing much better!!!!!! THANKS!!!!
Say hi to Ethan for me!!!
<3 -Zhulin

Foot Exercises for Pointe Work

These exercises get all the little muscles in your feet working so they can be as dexterous as your hands.

These are some of my favorite theraband exercises. They will help get your feet ready for pointe shoes and keep them strong so they can be healthy forever!

This is one of the best warm-ups I know for my feet and ankles. It gets the blood pumping, your muscles working and warm, and it’s a great thing to do before you put your pointe shoes on for class or rehearsal.