The only book of its kind, rewritten throughout, takes the mystery out of a confusing field. Dancers and students quickly benefit from the most current research-offering the latest information on hundreds of shoe designs, products and suppliers. The fundamentals of buying, preparing, and wearing pointe shoes are presented, including a detailed list of the many possible characteristics of each shoe. In discussing pointe shoe readiness, we present an array of contemporary views about when students should go on pointe-then, the way major ballet schools integrate pointe work into their classes, with in-depth opinions from David Howard, Suki Schorer and Steven Wistrich, among others. We take an intensive look at pointe-related injuries to the foot and ankle, their remedies, therapies, and exercises, and medical and therapy providers. An understanding of the relationship between a ballerina and her shoes is gained by listening to the greatest dancers-like Paloma Herrera, Jenifer Ringer, Gillian Murphy and Evelyn Cisneros-talk about how they found the perfect fit and the joy of dancing on pointe. Book jacket.