Ballet is its own secret world. For parents who have little or no experience within this microbubble of a magical realm, navigating so many unique and new roads can feel nothing short of overwhelming. What type of school should I send my eager young dancer too? When should they audition for a summer intensive that will take them out of state? How do we approach the ballet/academic school balance? Pointe shoes? Ballet slippers? The list goes on and on.
One thing is for certain: once bitten by the ballet ‘bug,’ there is little to be done to shake one’s deep desire to dance. Also of little doubt is the rigorous demands dance places on dancers’ bodies. Particularly young, growing bodies. As New York City Ballet’s lead Physical Therapist Marika Molnar PT, Lac told us recently: “We have to remember that students are in their growing phase and can be tight and weak during adolescence. They often have balance difficulties and tend to push themselves to their limits, often culminating in ankle and knee sprains. We see Achilles and patella femoral tendon problems, heel pain, and Osgood Schlatter disease in younger male dancers. If not treated correctly and in a timely manner, these injuries carry over to their adult dancing lives, causing problems throughout their professional careers.”
So how can parents best support their young dancer's most important tool— their growing body— and ensure that they stay healthy while remaining actively on the path to pursuing their joy? At Orza, we think it starts with their footwear.
Designed to alleviate pain and prevent injury, Orza's game-changing ballet shoes and patented technology are engineered to help dancers perform better, stronger, and longer. For over a decade, the traditional ballet slipper has remained unchanged, and while athletes across all spectrums have benefited from incredible improvements in their footwear, dancers have not. Orza Pro ballet shoes were developed from the ground up by former principal dancer Seth Orza, who knows first-hand the unique athletic demands dance places on dancer's bodies. Orza Pro ballet shoes work by combining sneaker technologies (seriously, we have former Nike engineers overseeing our manufacturing process on former Nike equipment; how cool is that?!) with the traditional aesthetic of a ballet slipper. A heel counter provides built-in stability to support proper leg alignment and alleviate pronation. This reduces stress through the ankle, shin, knee, and hip.
There are so many variables young dancers face on their unique dance journey. If we can be there, providing a ballet shoe that works for them— that most reliable tool in their dance bag, and provide reassurance that their every plie, pirouette, and landing is supported by their ballet shoe, well, then we have done our job.
Please reach out with any questions! Our team of former dancers is always happy to provide fit guidance, and help you find your dancer’s perfect size.
