When a ballerina breaks her pointe shoes, it means she is molding them to the shape of her foot. Once the procedure is completed correctly, the shoes should last a long time and it will become a pleasure to dance inside.
Steps
Step 1. Soften the tip
Gently massage the sides with your hands. Some dancers soften it by standing on pointe. Either way, you have to be very careful not to literally break it. You can use also use water and alcohol, because they do not damage or leave stains on the shoe.
Step 2. Soften the insole
The insole is the rigid sole that is located under the arch of the foot. Gently massage it into the demi-toe area, which is the area that bends when you get on the tip. Find where your heel ends and your foot begins - that's where you need to bend. This method is much better than folding the shoe exactly in the center; the latter, in fact, shortens their life.
Step 3. Walk in demi-pointe
One of the best ways to break pointe shoes is to simply put them on and walk in them. Try climbing in demi-pointe and walking, forcing the shoes to fit the arch of your foot.
Step 4. Climb to the tip
Start with your feet parallel, bend your right knee and push on your right foot until you rise to the toe. Make sure you move from demi-pointe position and, when on toe, push forward with the hip and arch of the foot. Repeat with the left foot.
Step 5. Work on the barre
For some dancers, doing barre exercises is enough to break the tip of the shoe. Do a lot of pliés, focusing on going from demi-pointe to climbing to pointe. Then put your foot on the ground again.
Advice
- Make sure with a professional that the shoes fit well. If you are a beginner, follow your teacher's directions.
- Banging your pointe shoes against each other or on a hard surface, like concrete for example, will make them quieter when you dance.
- Some dancers prefer tougher shoes. In this case you can skip steps 1 and 2: dancers with strong feet (usually quite narrow and with a low arch) are better off because they can challenge themselves more.
- The pointe shoes of more advanced models, such as those of Gaynor Minden, do not need to be broken and are easily modeled by heating them with a hairdryer, and then letting them cool on the foot.
- The "Sansha Ovation 3/4" last a long time and are good shoes for beginners, but they are not easy to break. Each person will have the pointe shoe that suits them best. Doing battiments tendus without the shoes on can help strengthen the foot for better toe and lift technique.
