by Amy Brandt | Feb 15, 2024 | Ask Amy, Pointe+, Training
I just learned that I’ll be starting pointe this year. But I’m nervous—does it hurt? —Sariah First of all, congratulations on advancing to pointe class! It’s a testament to your hard work and technical strength as a dancer. Pointework can feel uncomfortable at...
by Kyra Laubacher | Sep 20, 2021 | Health & Body
Ballet seasons are starting up again. But returning to long rehearsal days on pointe can be really challenging, especially after past seasons’ spotty schedules and pandemic-related modifications. With the shift back to full-time work, dancers once again face the...
by Amy Brandt | Aug 24, 2021 | Ask Amy, Top Stories, Training
I started pointe several months ago—a year behind my classmates—and am still doing échappés, relevés and balances in the center. My teacher, however, is now encouraging me to do pirouettes and more complicated turns on pointe. When should I start doing complex...
by Amy Brandt | Nov 3, 2020 | Ask Amy, Health & Body
A large chunk of my big toenail broke off. How long may it take to heal, and what precautions should I take while dancing? —Lauren Ouch. Losing a toenail is no fun. According to Dr. Alan Woodle, a podiatrist who has worked with Pacific Northwest Ballet, a big toenail...
by Megan Meier, Md For Dance Magazine | Feb 4, 2020 | Health & Body, Pointe Shoe Tips, Trending
Pointe shoes are high maintenance. New pairs are not only expensive, but time consuming. So it’s no surprise that many dancers try to extend the lifespan of each shoe. But did you know that dancing on dead shoes can increase your risk for a variety of injuries?...
by Madeline Schrock | Dec 20, 2017 | Health & Body, Wellness
Podiatrist Dr. Thomas Novella weighs in with tips for new and seasoned pointe dancers. Sometimes blisters are inevitable. If you’re just starting pointe, your feet will be especially susceptible until they naturally build calluses. Experienced dancers may...
by Pointe Team | Nov 28, 2001 | Company Life
A woman’s arms flap furiously, like Odette on steroids, caught in a piercing shaft of light. Drained of emotion or poignancy, her pointe shoes probe the floor with primal force. While familiar melodies from Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty morph and merge in...