Many ladies wearing sneakers in class and switch to stilettos for the milonga after. They worry to get tired early and like to “save” some energy. As it takes exercise to walk and dance securely on stilettos, this habit is kind of counterproductive. Here are some good points why it’s better to always train and dance with shoes of the same hight. Soon you will know what to choose, sneakers or stilettos.
This article is even of interest for the leader. You will finally understand how much effort a woman will make to impress.
Sneakers or stilettos? always train with shoes of the same hight.
For class , it is advisable to use the same hight of shoes, which you also use for the Milonga after.
The reason is, that you will want to train your posture and balance always under the same circumstances.
By memory, your body will adapt faster when receiving the same information over and over again.
Walking on low heels will be much easier, that is for sure. The weight is more in your heels and balance comes with much more ease.
Focus on balance control.
When you change the height of your shoes, the balance point of your posture will change. You are surprised that your balance becomes wobbly and unconsciously you hold on your partner.
On high heels, your weight is more in front. It is like walking tiptoe with just a little support from your heels. In order to have a good balance, you will have to practice this position a lot.
Therefore it is beneficial to practice your specific point of balance up to your personal condition every time you get on the floor. This brings you faster to balance control.
Training on high heels will strengthen your feet.
Furthermore, when you train on high heels, you will train your metatarse, your toes and your ankles to become stronger. Soon you will easier balance out little instabilities.
Fact: it is recommended to keep the same hight in all your tango shoes for a certain period.
Exceptions
- When you are in a festival with multiple classes and Milonga in the evening, that can be really very tiring for your feet and you might want to take the classes in sneakers.
- For your consideration; less is more. Try not to overdo it. Taking fewer classes is often better. Actually, the body gives us clear signs when to stop.
Listen carefully to your body helps to prevent injuries and overtiring.
Tired feet, tired mind. An overdose of information for your brain and an overdose of stress for your feet will not make you a better dancer.
- You might see professional dancers are training with sneakers. This is a different story. They do not need to train their balance, their body already knows very well each hight of shoes.
- Some ladies have bunion problems. In this case, it is strictly recommended to wear a comfortable shoe that protects you and lessen the stress for your feet.
- Another exception is when ladies learn to lead. Here it is advisable to do it in sneakers, you have more control. Point of balance is different in the posture of the leader.
Stilettos
Stilettos
As a beginner lady, you might want to have the same intriguing stilettos you have seen in that beautiful dancer the other night.
Careful, this can easily turn against you. Walking in high heels is an art. Only after hours of training, you will comfortably walk on high heels without losing your balance.
In order not to disgrace yourself, better start with low heels or a Latin dance shoe of not more than 5 cm. Practice always with the same hight until you are really comfortable with it.
Later you may work your way up slowly. 1 cm difference in height is already a lot for your body to adapt. Take it slowly, step by step.
Sneakers
For women who have a problem with the bunion, my recommendation is to wear comfortable tango sneakers, which already come with some nice designs. If this is not elegant enough choose a pair of shoes with a small heel, in class, and in the Milonga.
This shoe comes close to a spa treatment for your feet. They give you security for your toes, stability, and overall protection.
To wear this shoes for training is only beneficial for dancers who are beginners, have problems with their feet or are overtired.
For normal training up to my opinion, they are not advisable.
As long as the size of the heel is the same, you can as well exchange sneakers or stilettos. No problem.
It is up to your very wise choice, to go for sneakers or stilettos or any suitable in between. In the end, necessary comfort for your feet and quality for your dance comes first to develop into a happy Milonguera.
