Comment From An Owner Of The Perfect Pointe Book

Hi Lisa!

Just a note to thank you for everything you put into writing & marketing your book on pointework--what a treasure! I found you/it via Deborah Vogel's Dancing Smart newsletter and am so excited to apply your advice and exercises in my pointe classes! I own a small studio in Columbus, Ohio, and ballet is our biggest program, and my personal baby. I am blessed to have a practicing physical therapist as my jazz instructor and assistant director, as well as my best friend, and the knowledge of people like her, you, and Deborah Vogel enable me to keep my promise of safety to my clients. As for my own pointe training, it was decent, although I feel as if I wasn't really trained in the nitty-gritty how-to's of how to work in those shoes. I was always strong & had great feet, so much of it came naturally to me, but teachers always said, "pull up," or "work thru your feet," and I tried, but didn't really know what that meant. Folks like you teach folks like me exactly what those teacher-ese terms mean, and I am a much more effective pointe instructor for it, and my students are better trained than I was. Thank you so much for what you do--it has a ripple effect that is spreading worldwide, even as far as the corn-belt of America!

Very sincerely,
Jennifer Curren
Director, Footsteps Family Dance Center



Hi Jennifer!

Thank you so much for your beautiful email. It is an absolute joy to be able to spread this kind of information to where it is most needed. I run my small physical therapy practice in Sydney, Australia, and while it runs to capacity (and my energetic levels are pretty high!) I was frustrated at such a (relatively) small group of girls being able to acces this kind of information. Working out how to distribute it online has definitely been an eye opening challenge, but now seeing the results, and getting emails from people like you is making it all very worthwhile!!!

I am so glad that you are happy with the book, and do let me know if there are any specific questions you would like answered or topics you would like covered in any future books/dvds. Like you, I naturally picked up the foot control needed for pointe in combination with having a very good teacher from age 4 (we had to do thefirst 3 exercises at barre at least once a week with no shoes on so that she could see our toes!) but realise actually how rare this is now (I see a LOT of feet!) .

Also, especially in a city like Sydney, many girls never walk in barefeet, which does not allow for the fine developement of the intrinsic foot muscles. I grew up in the country in New Zealand and was constantly barefoot (in the summer), climbing things and playing with my toes! A blessing now!

Thank you again for your kinds words,

Warmest regards,

Lisa Howell


Hey, Lisa!

How cool of you to respond so quickly! I agree that your efforts to expand the circle of folks with access to your info is worth it, whatever hurdles you may have had to overcome to put it into our hands. And we have something else in common: we both ran around outside barefoot a lot as kids! I grew up in a lovely home in the country, surrounded by a big yard & a woods that was filled with fascinating things like hollow trees, rabbits' nests, a pond, & other magical kid-things--shoes were such a nuisance when we went wading or playing in the sandbox! I guess it didn't occur to me until your email how much of a foot-workout I was getting, completely by accident. I also studied a decent amount of tap before going on pointe, which did wonders to strengthen my naturally flexible feet, ankles, & calves. Anyhow, I'll write again when I've introduced your material to my girls, as I'm sure you'll be interested in their reactions and improvements. I have about 25-30 pointe dancers at various levels of development. My favorites are the first-year kids, as their enthusiasm is so high, and they show huge amounts of improvement very quickly. I've got 2 new ones starting in a couple of weeks, & I'll employ some of your stuff w/them right away!

God bless you in your work & the rest of your life..........

Love, Jennifer