Warmers Before and After Class

What are the benefits of dance warmers? And when should they be worn?

There are many opinions about the benefits of warmers, and also of when they should be worn. All will agree however, that proper warm up before class, and cool down after class is essential to keeping muscles healthy and pliable. Often times dancers are doing their warm ups outside of the studios in breezy hallways, waiting rooms and lobbies. When warm muscles come into contact with cool or cold air the muscles tighten immediately and therapeutic stretching actually becomes a hazard. It is crucial no matter what medium you are in to have the proper attire to stretch in and keep your muscles healthy.

Another mentality, shared by many in the profession, is that your attire makes a difference in your attitude. Coming to the studio to stretch in pajama pants, creates a different mentality entering the studio than coming in with dance warm ups. Dance warm ups get you focused for the work ahead. Pajama pants, while fashionable sometimes, creates a sleepy, casual disposition upon entering the dance studio.

Dance Warmers are also extremely useful in theatres. Theatres that are older often are drafty and the theatres that are newer are very often over air conditioned to keep the audiences comfortable. These are not always the best circumstances to dance under, but a fact of a performers life. Many warmers are designed with costuming in mind and are easily taken off in between entrances and exits. One suggestion though.....if you are purchasing warmers for the theatre, black is not always the best choice. Often warmers are thrown from the wings and black sweaters and such blend in very well with the black painted floors, black walls and black wings. Then often they are lost forever and the dancer is frozen again. So if shopping for the theatre you may want to look at some color options besides just black.

Pointe Shoe Interview With Professional Ballet Dancer Erin-Elizabeth Watts

DM: What do you look for in a pointe shoe?
EE:  I look for a shoe that continues my line smoothly while offers good support.

DM: How do you feel that the vamp of the shoe affects your fit?
EE:  For me it is very important because I have long toes and require a very long vamp to keep me from "knuckling" in my pointe shoe.  I ususally have to special order my shoes.

DM: Do you have a preference in the shank of your shoe? Why?
EE:  I sure do. I like a medium strength shank so I can manipulate my shoe but also have enough support.

DM: Which ribbons do use for your pointe shoes? Why?
EE:  I use the Prima Soft Stretch Ribbon.  I like that it moves with your foot and never gets baggy.

DM: What techniques do you use to break in your shoes?
EE: My feet and my friend Julie steps on the box for me.
 
DM: Do you use any hardening techniques for your shoes?
EE: I sometimes use jet-glue depending on what role I am performing.

DM: What brand of pointe shoes do you currently use?
EE:  Freed of London

DM: Have you worn any other shoes in the past?
EE:  I have worn almost every shoe made at some point in my career.

DM: If you could change one thing to make your pointe shoes better, what would it be?
EE:  While I understand the amount of time and effort it takes to make a pair of pointe shoes, I would say the cost would be what I would like to change.  It is a big investment for something that doesn't last long.

Erin-Elizabeth Watts, North Atlanta Dance Theatre

Fitting Pointe Shoes

Properly fitting pointe shoes is a science. Only a skilled fitter should assist an aspiring ballerina. And although many teachers have varying tastes and preferences, there are some basic principles that are very important in determining the proper fit of a pointe shoe.
Although online ordering has become the major source of shopping in these times, pointe shoe fitting is an art that is best done with the dancer in person. If an in person individual fitting is not feasible due to distance or other circumstances, an experienced fitter may be able to use an outline of the foot and other information to determine a good possible fit. Other factors determining the "right fit" would be the dancers experience level, numbers of days a week on pointe, hours a class on pointe, and the technique being used to rise on to pointe.

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