Since dance teachers spend long hours on their feet, the shoes they wear to teach class are an important yet tricky decision. Should you always wear ballet slippers to teach ballet, and always be barefoot during modern class? Or can you instead slip on those comfy sneakers that keep your arches from aching?
Well, the truth is that there are different schools of thought, both within the dance industry and the medical field. Dance Teacher spoke to a range of experts to help you make the decision that makes the most sense for you.
The Traditional Route
Many podiatrists and other medical providers recommend wearing shoes with ample arch support and shock absorption nearly all day, every day. But there’s another school of thought that prioritizes more minimalist shoes, like ballet slippers, and bare feet. The argument is that we’ll move with a more natural gait, give our toes the room they need to spread out, and keep our foot muscles stronger in the long run by forgoing all the extra tech that today’s trendy sneakers include.
“I don’t think we need to be in extra-cushioned shoes,” says Sarah Tyndall, PT, MPT, OCS, a physical therapist and board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist in North Carolina. “That cushioning actually desensitizes the nervous system, making it harder for your brain to know where you are in space, decreasing the ability for your muscles to function. Especially if the shoes have that rigid cone to the toes, that actually might be more inhibiting and cause more issues down the road.”
When it comes to dance education in particular, there’s also something to be said for the ability to demonstrate correct technique and articulation of the feet—and for modeling proper attire. “If you truly want to teach dance, your students need to be able to see what your foot looks like,” says Julie Kay Stallcup, a longtime dance teacher, competition adjudicator, and consultant to dance teachers and studio owners. “You’re also setting the example: If you dress sloppy, you’re giving students a free pass to get away with it.”
Prioritizing Comfort
At the end of the day, teaching dance shouldn’t leave you in pain. If traditional dance shoes make your feet exceptionally achy, or cause knee, hip, or back pain, it’s time to look into another option that might be easier on your body. “Teachers should prioritize comfort and support when choosing footwear,” asserts podiatrist Dr. Suzanne Fuchs, DPM, of LuxePodiatry in Florida.
It comes down to what’s going to be best for your personal health, and what makes you most effective overall as a teacher. Although a more supportive pair of sneakers might not show the articulation of your feet as well, they can allow you to continue teaching more classes—while demonstrating steps more full-out with the rest of your body—for longer.
Consider the Class
Depending on your schedule, it might make sense to switch between shoes during long teaching days, Fuchs says. “Factors like the duration of the class and the type of flooring are important to consider,” points out Susie Riefenhauser, senior marketing manager at Bloch. The level you’re teaching also matters: Being able to see your exact footwork is more important for younger students than more advanced dancers.
“Using supportive shoes with more cushioning when not demonstrating can help reduce foot fatigue and strain,” Fuchs says. By wearing sneakers around dancers who already know what clean, clear footwork looks like, you’ll have the energy and mobility left to really demonstrate those tendus clearly for the students who really need to see them.
You can also split the difference, so to speak. Rather than reaching for a pair of chunky running shoes, Riefenhauser suggests considering split-sole dance sneakers or a lightweight pair that still gives you the flexibility to point your feet.
Struggling to figure out what’s best for you? “Go to a podiatrist,” Stallcup advises. (One who’s familiar with dance is best, if possible.) A specialist will be able to look at your feet and recommend what’s best for your health. Then you can decide what makes the most sense for your classroom.
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