i got fitted for gaynor mindens at a seminar at cpyb and they felt amazing, however, I've been hesitant to purchase my own pair because of the various rumors (facts?) that the pre-arched shoes don't make your feet work as much, therefore weakening your feet. I have also heard that once a dancer begins to wear gaynors, all other shoes are too difficult to dance in.
is any of this true?
is any of this true?
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Re: do gaynor mindens weaken your feet?
Mon, November 20, 2006 - 10:31 PMI have gaynor mindens and never had an issue with them... in fact I was told that they actually help strengthen and protect your feet.
Every body is diferent though so one shoe will never work for every body.
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Re: do gaynor mindens weaken your feet?
Wed, November 22, 2006 - 10:40 PMMy personal opinion, after 18 years of pointe, is that those accusations are B.S.
First of all, Gaynors give your foot better support and alignment.
So that your poor little foot muscles are better able to focus on... the actual act of dancing! Imagine that! My feet have not weakened in my 6 or so years of weaing them.
The problem is that these shoes are nothing less than revolutionary when it comes to pointe shoes. And many people have a hard time with anything other than old skool. Just because we used to have to torture our feet with shoes held together with glue doesn't mean we have to continue.
Second of all... once you begin to wear Gaynors and realize how much better they are for your feet... why would you want to go through the pain of breaking in rock-hard shoes, squished toes, and impossible shanks?
Not I. You might as well go back to weaing soft shoes for pointe like they used to, if you really want to do it old skool.
