The new pointe shoe allows the dancer to poise indefinitely on tiptoe. It is her strength and technique, which brings her from the normal standing position and once on pointe, she maintains the position by contracting the muscles of her feet, ankles, legs and torso to pull her up of the shoe.

Without proper training any attempt to dance on pointe will meet injury. For that reason, young children are never encouraged to dance on pointe.

Dancers train for several years in soft slippers before they wear pointe shoes. Then only a few minutes of each class are devoted to special pointe exercises. Eventually dancers progress to wear pointes for long active periods until they can complete the whole class.

The pointe shoe supports the foot underneath the arch with a stiff sole. The box of the shoe tightly encases the toes to allow the dancer’s weight to rest on an oval shaped platform. The incorporation of the elastic materials within the toe box of the modern pointe shoes has given more serviceable support to the shoe and a stable sole gives the shoes the necessary resilience and comfort.

Modern pointe shoes are constructed so the sole and the toe box are made from one piece. Soles have varying degrees of flexibility and the toe box may have different configurations.

The upper material is usually pink satin and can be dyed for performances to the costume designer’s specifications.

© Vanessa van Rensburg