Start with a little flattening of the crown. (The crown is the rounded shape of the box over the tops of your toes.) Place the thumbs of both hands on the crown of the box and gently press down. This will soften the glue a bit and flatten out any excess height or roundness. The box will also widen slightly when you flatten the crown. See photo at left.

Try working the shank gently to help the arch conform to your foot. Put your thumb at the heel of the shank, with the rest of your hand inside the shoe. With your other hand, press against the sole at the 3/4 area, flexing the heel of the shoe. See photo at right.

To get a great demi-pointe, wait until your ribbons and elastics are sewn on and then use your feet for break-in. Stand in first position at the barre. On both feet, gently roll up through demi-pointe to pointe. Roll down through demi-pointe back to flat. Continue rolling up and down until you feel that your shoes are flexing nicely in demi-pointe.

These methods are helpful for virtually any new pointe shoe. Depending on the style of shoe and the individual dancer's foot, I may use a few other ways to help break-in along.

What you absolutely need to avoid is vigorous break-in methods! If you do too much, you will "kill" the shoe and lose the support it provides. Never pound on the shoe, break it with a door or use water to soften the box. Gentle pressure and the natural warmth of your hands and feet are all that is needed to facilitate break-in, which will continue as you wear the shoes.

Have a question about pointe fitting? Send it to us, and maybe your question will be the next one Judy answers in the Fitting Notes!