Academy choreographer Elena Egorova, who works with our student Valeria Medvedeva from Novosibirsk, told how pointe shoes help gymnasts strengthen their feet.
“We used pointe shoes to stretch the instep a little, to pump it up. Now Lera and I are doing strengthening movements using pointe shoes. The arch itself has already strengthened. The ankle became stronger, the toes went up,” Elena said.
The choreographer noted that she sees progress in the athlete’s performance of the following elements.
“Lera couldn’t get out of the half-toe attitude and go low. Now we see that the feet have become firmer and she is already standing on a high half-toe and isn’t not losing her balance,” she said.