Pointe shoe safety

If any of you follow Capezio on Instagram, you undoubtedly saw this pic of Whoopi Goldberg wobbling up on a pair of pointe shoes.  Supposedly the shoes are for her Halloween costume, which will be revealed on tomorrow's Halloween episode of "The View" on ABC.  

I was quite taken aback when I saw this photo.  Whoopi is clearly not able to support herself en pointe, and her technique is far from balletic.  Her knees are bent and her feet are completely in parallel.  Any ballet teacher would certainly say that she could use some more time in class before she earns her pointe shoes.  If Whoopi attempted to dance en pointe (or even stand en pointe without support), she could get really badly injured.  

I am really disappointed in Whoopi for making this choice.  I find it disrespectful to dancers who have worked hard to earn their pointe shoes.  I hope that Whoopi is cautious tomorrow when she wears her pointe shoes with her costume.  Because she was fit by a professional from Capezio, I am sure that someone explained the hazards of pointe shoes to her.  I am also slightly comforted by the fact that Whoopi is a TV host and will probably be sitting down for most of her time in costume (assuming that the costume is just for the show).  The Capezio Tiffany is also a very soft and pretty comfortable shoe, so it is good for beginners (though usually beginners who are already well trained in proper ballet technique).

This picture is a good opportunity to remind us that pointe can be a very dangerous business.  Never, ever wear pointe shoes unless a qualified ballet teacher has given you permission to do so.  Dancers who train in pre-pointe classes do hours upon hours of exercises that strengthen and align the hips, knees, ankles, and feet.  They even do exercises to work the tiny muscles in the toes.  It usually takes at least two years of intense training to be ready for pointe.  

Sprained ankles are common even among advanced and professional ballet dancers, so imagine the kind of injuries that could befall an individual who just threw on a pair of pointe shoes.  That person could damage ankles, knees, and hips, or she could fall and break a bone or sustain a concussion.  Looking cool en pointe is not worth the high risk of injury.  

If you want to look authentic in your ballet costume, go for real ballet technique shoes.  They are just a "real" as pointe shoes (trust me, professionals wear them a lot, sometimes even more than pointe shoes), and they are a lot more safe and comfortable.  

If you really want to dance en pointe, start taking serious ballet classes.  Ballet studios all over the world offer classes at all levels for all ages.  If pointe is your goal, talk to your dance teacher about how you can achieve it.  Even adult beginners can make it to pointe if they work hard enough. 

Once your teacher tells you that you are ready for pointe, head to a dancewear store for a professional fitting.  When you're just starting out, only dance en pointe in class with your teacher present.  This will make sure you are learning proper techniques that will help you avoid getting injured!

Any specific pointe shoe questions?  Leave a comment below!