How can I avoid cramps on pointe?

Question: How can I avoid cramps on pointe!?

I just started a couple months ago and I keep getting cramps!. How can I avoid them!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

The above links are to articles I've written regarding both questions you asked!. However, you can skip those if you want to choose from a bigger body of articles at http://www!.theballetstore!.com - most of them are in the blog area and they are all geared toward building strength for dancing in pointe shoes!.(and the ones above are included too)!.

The Perfect Pointe Book is linked on the first page of theballetstore!.com!. I think it is a fantastic manual of strength and stretching for pointe work!. It downloads with photos and videos to show you everything!. I didn't write it - a dance medicine specialist wrote it for students to self-test all the areas of the body that they need to strengthen for pointe work, and then she gives charts for marking your progress as you practice!. It is a manual you can use for years, every time you have new challenges!.

How exciting that you are starting pointe! Padding for pointe shoes is very individual - there is padding for leveling toe lengths, separating toes, and just for general comfort!. Try some on when you try shoes on, if they will let you!. If the shoe fits well, padding will be easy - even a liitle Kleenex wrapped around the toes will work!

There are also articles on that same ballet site about getting exactly the right fit in pointe shoes, breaking them in properly, as well as a video of breaking them in properly!.

All the best, Dianne!. Please ask me if you have more questions after you've done your reading!

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