I have lost count of how many times I’ve heard someone recently say “oh, that’s just ‘old school’ training mentality” and wondered if when we use the term ‘old school’ we oftentimes are justifying training methods that are…
We’re living in a time where our students (and oftentimes, ourselves) are on edge constantly wondering about our safety, our health, our purpose in life (dramatic…), etc. At what point do we as educators acknowledge once and for all that some of the ‘old school’ training methods simply are outdated and need to go? Why are some of us so stuck in our ways that we can’t see that while yes, you might be training a brilliant dancer, you might also be damaging them in the long-term? That overstretching, that time you told them ‘it sucked’ without some positive reinforcement that you know they can do better and believe in them, the moment you made them feel less than on purpose… this is not ‘old school’, this is abuse.
We seem to have, as a community, allowed these type of circumstances to be described as ‘old school’ for too long; there is a big difference between a mentality of hard work, and praise being offered for that hard work (actual ‘old school’ mentality), versus abusive behaviors being justified by the term. In my training, I was not praised unless I had done a good job/deserved/earned it, that is not ‘old school’, that is knowing a compliment is coming from a genuine place. The current culture of metaphorically telling our students they are pretty for every single thing they do is an unbalanced effort… if everything is great then nothing is great. This is not because something isn’t actually exceptional, but because if(??) praise is given for all things, then it has lost its meaning for what is actually done very well. ‘Participation trophy’ dancing… simply showing up, in dance, is not actually enough; we do our students a disservice when doing this, and on the opposite end of the spectrum, while praising someone for doing very little is not ‘abusive’, it is also knowingly not setting them up for success, which is improper as well.
This article by Michael Mignano discusses emotional abuse in sports, which has been studied more than it has in dance, and is a great piece of insight as to how emotional abuse in training scenarios happens. The power dynamic between teacher and student in dance is very similar to that of a coach and player in sport – these ideas, while not exact, are in alignment with what happens in abusive relationships in a classroom. I would love to hear your thoughts, and what we can do as a community to ensure our students are being trained with real love and integrity.
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The feet are fickle (and so are your preferences). Each person will fit their Shocks differently…so below the charts are size GUIDES…SEE BELOW FOR SIZING TIPS to help get you in your best fit!
Tips for Sizing
The Alpha Shock is a snug toe fit and the Infinite Shock has a freedom fit toe
If a dancer has a very wide foot and is on the top end of the size range listed, you may choose to go up a size in the Alpha Shock
For example, if they are a size 7.5 with a very wide foot or you typically range between a 7.5-8.0 instead of a 7.0-7.5, you may be more comfortable in a size Large Alpha Shock instead of the size Medium. Your sizing in the Infinite Shock should not be affected with a wider foot
You are at the low end of a size range and are younger than 11 years of age, are very petite boned for your age, and/or have a narrower foot than average for your size
For example, an 11-year--old who wears a size 5.5-6 shoe would choose a size Small Infinite instead of a Medium (based on the size chart)
A 16-year-old who typically ranges between sizes 6.0-6.5 street shoes and has average leg and foot size would choose the recommended size Medium.
A 16-year-old that ranges 5.5-6.0 with a narrower foot will likely be more comfortable in a size Small
The Infinite has the MOST freedom in the toes of all Shock styles…so with the above rules also consider if you prefer a snug fit in the toes (go with the smaller size you are borderline for) or want some wiggle room (go to the larger size you are border line for)
The Performance Shock/AMP Shock fits like the Infinite but the size chart IS slightly different so please take note! The top of each size range is borderline, use the same rules of the Infinite to size.
Every dancer has a preference…some will love the lower profile of the Performance, some may miss the snug hug of the Infinite up the calf. Remember the purpose of the Performance is to create the perfect line on stage while providing Apolla support and the Infinite is to give maximum support and protection for long days and rehearsals.
The Performance Shock has the same arch and ankle support and differs in:
Lower profile & softer opening: the top of the Shock should hit below the bottom of the calf and goes on easier. The Infinite hits mid-calf
Sleeker and fitted in the toes than the Infinite to accentuate the feet and create a more seamless look onstage. But still has freedom.
The Joule Shock:
If you are border line and have a very short arch (the length of your overall shoe size is primarily made up of the ball of your foot and toes) or you are very narrow feet/petite boned, go down a size.
If the Joule loses it shape, wash it with normal care instructions and it should regain its shape nicely.
Please watch our quick How To Wear (www.apollaperformance.com/pages/how-to-wear) tutorial videos to see how to put them on.
The K-Warmer Shock:
Measurements are given as a range that it may fit. Most likely starting about an average 13/14 yr. old female on thru an adult petite/average male dancer. However, it may vary based on ersonal preference.
Please watch our quick How To Wear tutorial videos to see how to put them on.
Before placing anorder please feel free to emailinfo@apollaperformance or click our live chatwith any questionsif your feetmay be an exception to the sizing chart or are on the border line of sizes.
The Alpha: Level 1 
The Performance: Level 2 
The Infinite: Level 3
Apolla Shocks Support Scale:
Each of our Shocks come with our revolutionary support, what we call our 3 A’s.
Each has their own unique performance features that help to protect and support you for the many different preferences of dancers along with the different needs of style, class, performance and traction.
You will feel the benefits of all our Apolla Shocks. However, we recommend you knowing the different levels of support and features to decide what is best for you and your dancer’s individual needs. It is our mission to continue to innovate and deliver a Shock for every dancer’s needs, so you will always have what you need in your dance bag. They truly are the last and only dance sock or footwear you will ever want or need!
XThe feet are fickle (and so are your preferences). Each person will fit their Shocks differently…so below the charts are size GUIDES…SEE BELOW FOR SIZING TIPS to help get you in your best fit!
Tips for Sizing:
The feet are fickle (and so are your preferences). Each person will fit their Shocks differently…so below the charts are size GUIDES…SEE BELOW FOR SIZING TIPS to help get you in your best fit!
Tips for Sizing:
The feet are fickle (and so are your preferences). Each person will fit their Shocks differently…so below the charts are size GUIDES…SEE BELOW FOR SIZING TIPS to help get you in your best fit!
Tips for Sizing:
The feet are fickle (and so are your preferences). Each person will fit their Shocks differently…so below the charts are size GUIDES…SEE BELOW FOR SIZING TIPS to help get you in your best fit!
Tips for Sizing:
Before placing a group order please feel free to email with any questions on any of your dancers that may be an exception to the sizing chart or are on the border line of sizes.
Apolla Shocks Support Scale:
Each of our Shocks come with our revolutionary support, what we call our 3 A’s.
Each has their own unique performance features that help to protect and support you for the many different preferences of dancers along with the different needs of style, class, performance and traction.
You will feel the benefits of all our Apolla Shocks. However, we recommend you knowing the different levels of support and features to decide what is best for you and your dancer’s individual needs. It is our mission to continue to innovate and deliver a Shock for every dancer’s needs, so you will always have what you need in your dance bag. They truly are the last and only dance sock or footwear you will ever want or need!
XThe feet are fickle (and so are your preferences). Each person will fit their Shocks differently…so below the charts are size GUIDES…SEE BELOW FOR SIZING TIPS to help get you in your best fit!
Tips for Sizing:
anonomous
January 12, 2020
I once asked a teacher who I had studied with for years – and revered – if she would Mentor me for my RAD certification – and she told me (with great vitriol) that I was " simply not good good enough"! This not only devastated me at the time – but has haunted me ever since – so much so that absolutely every challenge I face in life not only with teaching, but with everything else as well, I approach with great fear and trepidation, not to mention a morbid dread of failure. I have Never felt like I have been a success at anything I have done in life …and I have failed at more things than I would like to admit (things I really shouldn’t have failed at). Many years prior to this she had discouraged me from even attempting to apply for the training, but at the time she said there was not a much market for RAD teachers in the area where I live, but in retrospect I realized she was telling me (even then when I thought I was one of her “star” pupils) that I was “Not Good Enough” … I have not thought of this in a very long time – but clearly it has stayed with me for all these years … and still brings me to tears as I write this.