freedom of movement

For the past ten years of my life I've taken dance classes. It's become something in my life that I am known for in my circle of friends. Here's a look at things that one might get over a long period of time from dancing. This is what I've received from the past five years of dance, and of course some things come with stories :)

My second pair of pointe shoes.

I soon found that this type of shoe would not accommodate my type of foot...there was a chance of snapping an ankle, tendons, or any number of bones in my foot. Needless to say...I found a different kind of shoe.

My second pair of shoes. Bloch - Aspirations.

(first pair)

No, I did wear these shoes with my feet at the current size. My feet were a bit more wee six years ago. My feet were changed by wearing these shoes. They don't look at all like the rest of my families, the effect I imagine is similar to when the Chinese would wrap their feet. Only difference being that is no longer legal or practiced.

This was my very first pair of pointe shoes, I bought them 6 years ago. Bloch - Aspirations. The epic shoe that starts it all. They give this shoe to every beginner, then when that dancer is ready for another pair they bring the shoes in and the shoe mistress takes a look to see what kind of damage was done and in how much time it was caused. Based on that 'interview' of sorts she goes on to pull many boxes of different kinds of shoes that may or may not be just what your feet need. A person with normal feet can spend a little longer than an hour searching for a right pair...I take a bit longer ;)

This was my first 'big girl' tutu. When my dance teacher moved studios we faithfully followed her. As I started my classes I found myself surrounded by older and taller girls, but was surprised to learn that most of them had just started dancing. This was the year I first started dancing En Pointe.

this was an, interesting, costume. We danced to "In Like a Lion (Always Winter)" by Relient K. I was happy to join this class with Bella and Lissy :) We had fun!

This was my first tap costume(2007), it was gold and sparkly. On occasion I still find gold glitter in my tap shoes!

To be fair, out of all the pointe shoes I've ever owned these ones looked the best :) (Capezio Glisee)

My one and only pair of Capezios. Capezio Glisees. The gave my feet painful burning sensations...so this was the one and only pair I bought.

As you'll see further on...I'm rough on shoes.

They were well loved :)

Bloch, Signature Rehearsal - Strong. When I bought these the woman who owns the store and does the shoe fittings told me that they rarely sell these, ever, because "no one ever has a foot like yours." I have very flexy, archy, beastily-strong feet. When I put pointe shoes on my foot pops out, even with elastic there to hold it in. As you'll see below...my feet can damage shoes...

.:warning:. shoe carnage ahead.

By the end of the 3.5 months that I had been wearing these (once a week for about 45 minutes) I had completely snapped the shank (that red part there) in half...just by wearing them...

This was the first time we had ever done ballet with props, it was rather tricky.

Ballet 2006, we danced to Masquerade from Phantom of the Opera - my MOST FAVORITE ballet number ever!

Tap 2008. We danced with canes...and pants. Not to worry, they're there...folded somewhere under the shirt thing.

2008 was the year I discovered Fuzi! An interesting brand of pointe shoe. You either love 'em or hate 'em. {Pointe shoes # 5 and 6}

2007 ballet. We danced to "A Time For Us" and were forced to improv when our music started skipping. Do you know how hard it is to improv ballet and make it look smooth and executed correctly? Extremely.

2009 tap costume, complete with newsies hat and suspenders ;)

(above) 'Haley'. The lyrical class did a dance to Haley by Need To Breath. This was probably my favorite costume :) and the best part was the 'arm-y thingys' ;)

This year we had props. :) those are always fun...

<-- This was last year's (2009) ballet costume. Our dance was done with a little bit of 'Spanish Flair'.

...I felt like a spanish bumble bee :D