Thread: Another shoe question

If we perform in high heeled shoes...how come we dont train with them on?

Just curious.

this is a very! good question. And I perform barefooted but train with training slippers because it is soooo cold here in the winter time. But when I see Tito to perform I see that I need more practice...he is always barefooted...but back to your question, who trains with high heels here?

I do not train in high heels - but then, I don't perform in high heels. I wear ballet slippers - heels throw my posture right out the window!

It's a mixed bag for me, but then so is performing. I will practice in heels when I think it's appropriate. I take calss in barefeet or flat shoes.

that having been said, I either wear heels every day or trainers. . .

{{{HUGS}}}}

One of the reasons I switched from leather split-sole slippers (which I still love) to teaching sandals was to get used to having a small heel. My intention was to work my way into ballroom shoes.

I've found that, though I love the teaching shoes, I can't get used to the hard sole of the ballroom shoes. That's why I'm now trying to figure out how to get the teaching shoes performance-ready.

Someone -- I think it was Lucy???? -- once posted a link to a pair of shoes that looked soft-soled, like ballet shoes, with low heels, sort of a cross between a pump and a slipper. I've never been able to find those again. *sniffle*

i have asked my trainer a similar question, and he said it is very important to work out/train in the manner that we will be performing as well as regular bare foot or ballet shoes.

he calls it functional exercise. it makes sense to me, too because we need to practice bare foot to toughen our feet if we intend to dance barefoot. [i'm sure we have all had the out-of-practice blisters..c:: ]

we need to practice in flat shoes to strengthen the full range of motion. and we need to practice in heels to become strong in the altered, pitched forward balance.

so, i thing we need to train in as many ways as possible so we can be prepared to dance in what ever shoes fit the venue, costume and mood.

when i could wear them, i practiced in ballroom shoes.
my foot has been so bad that i have to wear jazz sneakers in class. i tried everything with a smaller sole and nothing worked. i have to have that extra cushion under the ball of my foot.
it's gotten enough better that i'm sneaking in a class with the ballrooms every now and then to see how much i can get away with.
about the only time i dance barefoot is in performance or if i'm practicing on the very thick rug in my living room. without a performance high, my foot will give out if i try to dance on a bare floor.

Good point! I sometimes wear them when I take class but never when I teach. It really depends on how tired my feet feel after a long day at work. When I studied jazz, we always wore our character shoes for practice/class. That was a long time ago though...back before my arches started to fall and my feet spread out. ..cr.:

I practice in my heels...

But I think there is still a fair amount of folks that don't prescribe to wearing shoes at all while dancing. Many folks think that it's not the "traditional" way.

While I tend to not like wearing shoes either while performing, my reasoning for wearing them [heels] is (1) aesthetics - I'm short and most of my skirts are just a couple inches to long, and due to beadwork they cannot be hemmed. (2) I once sliced the ball of my foot open from something on the floor at a corporate gig. Nothing like a trail of blood, to make you think shoes may be a good idea. You never know what is on the floor of the places you dance...(3) Most slipper-type shoes don't blend well with the type of costumes I like to buy and wear; generally...

It's a good idea that if you personally plan to dance in shoes to incorporate them, whatever their type, into your practice time, even class time.

Not sure if this is what you were thinking of but it might work.

http://www.discountdance.com/frame_s...e_SHOE_p1.html

“Elastosplit Grecian” Sandal
ES0410L by Bloch®

Bloch®'s "Elastosplit Grecian" sandal features the support of a 1" heel combined with increased flexibility and enhanced aesthetic of Elastosplit technology. Other features include a neoprene strap, leather upper and a flattering instep design.


Suggested Fitting:
Women order ½ size smaller



Your Price: $33.80

That shoe is almost identical to the Pedini (Capezio) that I wear when teaching...I don't even consider it a 'heel' in which to dance (I wouldn't wear them to perform in...they're not very elegant!) Most NYC area dancers who perform in heels are in HIGH ballroom heels...and...while I could dance jazz in them...cannot fathom how anyone dances Middle Eastern style in real heels!
Gia

But Gia, the question was about training, not performance, and they're more of a heel than a ballet slipper (though I'm currently trying to figure out if I can paint my teaching sandals gold. I'd love to perform in them).

My problem with ballroom shoes for performance is the hard soles. I just can't get used to dancing in hard-soled shoes.

(sorry, may have already whined about that up-thread, still hoping someone will post a solution.)

I train barefoot, but as I'm new to BD I think if I put on heels I'd fall flat on my face. Maybe as I get more confident I may attempt it, but for now it's no shoes for me.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

My problem with ballroom shoes for performance is the hard soles. I just can't get used to dancing in hard-soled shoes.

(sorry, may have already whined about that up-thread, still hoping someone will post a solution.)

My shoes/heels are flexible suede soles. They're not hard soles. Where did you get yours? I have seen the hard sole ones and they are not the same.

I got mine on e-bay. I was being cheap, that's probably my problem. Where did you get yours?

Lauren,
My ballroom shoes have a flexible sole. They're by So Danca; I'll show them to you when I see you in August. I bought mine from Chad's Theatrical in St. Charles, but you should be able to get something similar at one of your local dance shops.

Nisaa

Thanks, Nisaa, I'd like to see what they're like!

Mine are So Danca too. I got them at a local dance store.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

But Gia, the question was about training, not performance, and they're more of a heel than a ballet slipper (though I'm currently trying to figure out if I can paint my teaching sandals gold. I'd love to perform in them).

My problem with ballroom shoes for performance is the hard soles. I just can't get used to dancing in hard-soled shoes.

(sorry, may have already whined about that up-thread, still hoping someone will post a solution.)

I'm sorry for the confusion, the original question was about training in heels for those who perform in heels...
I have always used Krylon spray paints for my shoes...even now when my silver/gold shoes get badly scuffed, I just spray the front with Krylon and it lasts! A light spray doesn't crack...
Gia

Thanks, Gia, I think I'm gonna get brave & try it.

I've got some old Pedinis (I probably buy 2 pair a year)...I should just spray em and see how they look...I tend to really scuff up the uppers of my performance shoes when I do floorwork...but Krylon always saves the day! Let me know how you make out!
Gia