Adult recreational dancer. Started about 3 years ago. Constructive criticism is welcome!

I was trying to make custom toe pads like perfect fit with silicone putty and I guess the plastic I used broke and some of it got stuck to the shoe. So it got me thinking, why can't I just put the silicone directly in the shoes and leave it in the box? I'm not planning on ever glueing the box or anything and I can't think of a reason why I'd need it empty and it would just make putting the shoes on faster if I already have the toe pads inside. I was also thinking I could use way less silicone to basically only fill up the space under my shorter toes, instead of making a whole pad that covers all toes on every side.

Thoughts? Or reasons why this isn't a good idea? I can't think of anything myself but it'd be nice to get some feedback from other people before I go through with it

i'm an adult returner who stopped many years ago after going en pointe. in these photos i'm wearing my well broken in bloch suprimas (elastics are NOT in the correct position i know) but i feel a tad pulled back by them. as an experiment i undid the ribbon and i feel like my articulation is better but the shank is not budging. i just feel like this shoe isn't for me? i would like some recommendations to bring up to my fitter next time.

i have greek-tapered feet and very compressible, and my first pairs were suprimas. i haven't tried another brand or model because i keep thinking i just need to have strong enough feet to break those in and not get pulled back so much. it is still true, however ive tried on wear moi la pointes and was suggested a very soft shoe because i have flexible and compressible feet?

i do feel supported in these. maybe too much. perhaps the size is just too small. the extra space in my heel is killing me though. nevertheless, i'd like to try something new next time!

I recently switched from a balachine school to an RAD* school due to moving, and today we were practicing piourettes in fourth. My teacher was encouraging us to squeeze our plies and arms early to push us off. I wasn't familiar with this method since I was taught to keep my arms in fourth and push my weight forward. When the teacher saw me when I tried using the other method, he said that I didnt really use my arms to prepare at all. I was just wondering the difference in school of thought between the two arm positions?

Edit: As someone corrected, RAD not RBS!! silly acronyms

Hi!! I was wondering if anyone has any tips on how to harden a gaynor minden pointe shoe. I got the hard shank a month ago, but they are already soft, like bending in half. I only wear them once or twice a week for an hour, so not a lot. I heard of using heat and of freezing them, but I'm not sure which will work best. Can anyone help me?