I take 2 pointe classes a week. I love pointe. I actually feel myself working alot harder while on pointe, mores so then when ( sadly ) on the floor. Why? Well to put it simply... you just can't fake it on pointe. There is no way around not using your muscles properly ( something I commonly forget to engage in soft shoes) There are no short cuts with these bad boys. They can and WILL hurt you hardcore if you don't step up and recognize!
I've had my moments of absolute panic, you know... the kind that forms knots in your stomach, the kind that has adrenaline pumping so violently through your veins you'd swear your heart might burst from your chest, all the while you are still trying to casually shrug off the horror of what just happened... to the rest of the class. - What..?? That horrific ankle sickle that had you holding your breath in fear was.... nothin! Pssh... I planned that from the getgo! .. sheesh! Pain??? HA! You tool! ........ Please....( "trembles silently" )
Okay well maybe not THAT extreme... but I did fail to use my muscles and this did leave me terrified after a sickling incident twice.
Fear + Adults + Pointe = BAD
The greatest thing about youth is being fearless. They can accomplish anything....." jump across two buildings??? SURE! - I can do that Shh...T....... " with my eyes closed, while txting Biatch!!
Adults however... as they age ( so it seems ) begin to grow ever fearful. - Yo know that super crazy Wild roller coaster that made your friends puke and you psyched?! - Well as each year passes.. you realize just how slightly scarier the ride seems to get...( I call shenanigans) until well.. you wonder how you ever liked it at all?? Only crazy people could like this.. which CLEARLY you ARE NOT!
Fear can be a bad thing, especially on pointe when you need to fully exert yourself... if you hold back from fear you can cause more harm then good, and, may not progress as quickly as you would if you accepted the fear and became determined to trust yourself.. your technique and your teachers.
Er... so..... back to my main point of this thread... (wow where was I going with this... ) I took a good look at my toes the other day while switching from my soft shoes to pointe shoes.... and all I could think was EGAD! My toe nails are terrible! Some of my toes almost look like they have layers?? ( Is that even normal ?? ) My big toe has a semi-broken toe-nail. ( My nails are rather weak ) and I guess just slight pressure on a nail not cut properly seems to break it slightly. Not that it hurt.. my nails are too weak to feel pain or anything .....the hard callus built up under the big toe.. and minor toughening of skin on the tops of my toes... just made me do a double take. UGH! My feet look horrible!
In my defense I have NOT been taking of my feet... They are the last things on my mind especially now with winter and all those amazing comfy socks ( my weakness --- Seriously, think of your favourite comfort food.... and now picture it's an equivalent in sock form zomg! Baked macaroni and cheesey soft socks....H E A V E N...) I LOVE comfy socks, and my toes can be lost in these fluffy-kins for days. Out of sight out of mind.
But WOW! I really need to start taking a moment to appreciate the hard work my feet go through, and the toll standing completely on your tip toes can take on your limbs. ( especially more painful if your technique isn't great or you're wearing bad shoes.......i.e knuckling/bunions/ etc)
Take care of your tootsies... you need them... and they need you.
