Resources - Tips Tools for Ballet Dancers and Teachers — ballet training tool

Best Exercises to improve Dancer’s feet and point for ballet

Posted by Kim Shope on Nov 06, 2016

I spent years putting my feet under couches, pinching my achilles tendons and bruising my heels to get a better point. After many years of stretching and strengthening exercises, I can say my feet became much more flexible. As a teacher of dance, I encourage my students to work safely to stretch and strengthen their feet and arches for dance. The exercises below can be done daily at home or before ballet class at the dance studio. Be sure to use proper technique and stop if you feel any pain.

Kathryn Morgan - How to Improve your Feet and Port de Bras

Posted by Kim Shope on Oct 24, 2016

StretchStrength.com How To Video by Kathryn Morgan, former NYCB professional ballet dancer and internet personality. She shows you how she loves and uses the Port de Band™ and Ballet Feet Stretcher. I have to share this because I am so excited and honored that Kathryn Morgan, former New York City Ballet ballerina and youtube personality, created a video sharing how much she loves my Port de Band™ and Ballet Feet Stretcher!! WooHoo! She is such a natural and explains the products so much better than I ever could! Thank you Kathryn! Here is Kathryn’s video youtube link: https://youtu.be/lO1724LtVMo I recommend you subscribe...

Ballet Feet Stretchers

Posted by Kim Shope on Oct 04, 2016

We had a lot of fun attending the Guinness World Records Event! Not enough ballerinas to set the world record, but it was a record for dancers standing "en pointe" for 2 minutes in KC! I'm super proud of all the dancers. The dancers who tried the Ballet Feet Stretcher thought it was the best they had ever used!

Chinese Finger Traps are a fun and cheap training tool for Port de Bras and 1st position

Posted by Kim Shope on Sep 29, 2016

A wonderfully simple and cheap training tool to use for ballet, jazz and tap students. Do you students struggle to hold their hands properly in first position, en bas or high 5th? Give each student one of these Chinese Finger Traps and watch how they magically hold their hands and arms in the correct position. Place the tool on their middle finger and instruct them to touch their thumb to the material. Works great for younger and older Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern or Lyrical Dance students. ***If you use as a training aid to improve port de bras during pirouettes, be careful! They...