balletbaby183 Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 hi, I have a bit of a problem. My arches are horrible, which gives me problems on pointe. I have been on pointe for over two years now and I can barely do a piroette(sorry i can't really spell) because i can't get over my box! secondly, my recital is in two months. I was cast as Belle (we're doing Beauty and the Beast), and my dance teacher would like me to do my part on pointe. Yikes! I've tried therabands and doing lots of tendus and stuff, but none of it seems to work. I've done some stretches, like pointing your foot, having someone hold it down, resisting for a few seconds then relaxing for a few seconds, and stuff like that, but then I usually end up over stretching and making it worse! Is there anything I can do to improve my arches by the recital? Thank you so much, I really appreciate it. Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted March 26, 2006 Administrators Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 Hello balletbaby183, welcome to Ballet Talk for Dancers I wish that we could wave the magic wand for you, but, unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done that quickly. Developing the arch is a very long, and very slow process, and sometimes it really doesn't get any bigger but just because you learn to really USE your feet well, over time, and also get stronger, then it starts to look better. But we are talking years here, not weeks or even months. And the work that you do to improve them must be done on a daily basis, and be very consistent. The best exercises are those you learn in class, tendu, dégagé, frappé, pas de cheval, elevé and relevé. Working with a theraband also helps, but again, over a long period of time. If you are not totally up on your pointe shoes, it would probably be best not to try and perform on pointe. However, that should be up to your teacher. If she thinks that you are strong enough, and your pointe technique good enough, then you must trust her. Quote Link to comment
balletbaby183 Posted March 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 If I did the stuff you said to do every day up until the recital would they look even a bit better? Or should I just not bother? Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted March 26, 2006 Administrators Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 There is no way for us to know whether they will look better or not, except that anytime you consistently work on something, it should improve! Certainly learning to really use your feet as well as you possibly can will always improve them. Not bothering is simply not an option, as one does not try to improve something just for one show! Improving your feet is something you will need to work on forever! Not working on them is a guarantee that they won't look or be better. Definitely not an option in my opinion! Quote Link to comment
sugarplum239 Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 i had problems with my arch too and there is a muscle there that you can pull up and over time it becomes second nature {if you pronate} and as for your pirouettes do not think about going around, think about going up onto releve and you will turn so long as you spot and use your arms. If this doesnt help try doing 1/4,1/2,3/4, and an entire turn. You may just be a little scared about doing a pirouette and this will make you more comfortable with turning and as for not being on your box completely talk to your teacher about that and they can probably help you, you may be sickling your foot. Quote Link to comment
duhitsnicolette Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 lucky for me i havent had to worry about my arch that much. but just use every class and stretch and stretch your foot and pull up when in releve!! Quote Link to comment
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