How can i get over on the box (make the platform flush to the floor) of my point

Question:

How can i get over on the box (make the platform flush to the floor) of my pointe shoe?

I just started pointe this fall and I need some tips for getting over on my box. And I have basically no arches so would that cause any problems en pointe? Would that give me shin splints, or is that just the combonation of dance classes and 45 minutes of gymnastics every day?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I'm surprised your teacher allowed you to start point with almost no arches. Your feet really have to be flexible enough in order to push up over your point. Here are some things that may help you out:

Could be several different problems:
-Your shoes are new and not broken in well yet. Work with the shank to soften it up a bit, get it bending into a good arch with out breaking it.
-Your shoes are not a good fit for your foot. Make sure you have your shoes fitted by a professional. Maybe changing pointe shoes would help.
-Your feet are not strong enough yet. Your arch may be weak, your ankles may be weak. Are you exercising your feet regularly to strengthen them? Ask your teacher for exercises.
-Your feet aren't flexible enough. Hopefully this is not the problem, you should not have started en pointe with feet that weren't ready for it.

Try this exercise (if you are not already doing it):
With your feet in 1st, demi plie, the slowly roll onto pointe. Staying in plie, stretch over your pointe then straighten your legs. Make sure you are really forcing your feet to stay en pointe correctly as your do this, keeping them over the correct area of your shoe. You can also do this in a turned in first position.

As for the shin splints, point work usually does not cause them, but gymnastics will. I would say that is most likely the cause.