Hullachan Pro

05/11/2024

Lifespan of a soft dance shoe?
Aftercare of a soft dance shoe?
Notes from Hullachan Dance Shoes first posted in 2018.

I would like to explain some facts about any soft shoe. You may well already realise these but I think that it would be fair to comment on these for recent wearers of Irish Dance shoes
In all cases a soft shoe has a minimum and maximum lifespan.
For beginners they will last 6 to 9 months before they stop supporting the dancers feet but in top competition dancers at a good level, they would not expect their shoes to keep giving support for more than four to six months. Like a runner who would expect a pair of running shoes of the highest quality to last up to 200 to 300 miles before the support is lost, dance shoes are really no different. Dancers expect to change their shoes every four to six months. Indeed, and this seems to be a reasonable length of time with which to use any dance shoe i
But why is this ?
Well, we can make shoes that will last longer and in the bad old days before Hullachan came along, the shoes were very hard and the soles made of thick leather. This meant that the shoes were closer to outdoor shoes. I created a soft shoe that mounted to the dancers feet and soon all dance shoes followed suit. It was , of course, a trade off. Durability or athletic comfort. Your daughter is an athlete and will demand that her shoes give her a second skin fit which protects her feet while making her arch and get look great. That is why Hullachan is so unique. Hullachan is an extremely professional shoe brand and dancers all over the world use it for a reason. It delivers what they need. The brand owner, Antonio Pacelli is a company dedicated to the dancer.
Durability.
When I started the design back in 1995 I was looking at ways to help the dancer make decisions on how they could use the design I very very lightly glued the heel pad so that, if the dancer preferred, she could easily remove it. The insole is made from a special material that absorbs impact but while it is not rubber but a special orthopaedic foam which has the durability of thin rubber. Six months of wear, classes during the week and competitions at he weekend will naturally wear the shoe out. Beginners can probably get two pairs of shoes every 14 months , mid level dancers will go through a pair of shoes every 4 to 6 months and top level competitive dancers will get 3 to 6 months depending on they knowledge of aftercare. Buying two pairs of shoes and swapping these around to give one pair a break to dry is always a more economical idea that will help you o get the longest wear out of your most important tool for dance.
Aftercare.
When a Dancer uses their shoes many are completely unaware that the foot has over 125 thousand sweet glands which will exude perspiration at various rates but up to half a cup for younger dancers. The sweat goes into the socks and then drawn into the leather and the pads of the shoes. Most dancers who do not know about aftercare, tie up their shoes after a class and put hem into their bags, only to next see then for the next class or competition. Probably still damp. That breaks down the leather causing stretch and wear in the stitching and that constant damp has a gradual wearing down effect on the padding and the adhesives holding the insole pad. The stitching around the sole can then be at risk and start to split.
You can delay this by taking the shoes out and hanging them up in a well aired room overnight. Never on a heater. You never ever dry the shoes on a radiator or ever wash the shoes. That will literally destroy them.
Feed the shoes with a nourishing shoe cream once a week, letting that get into the leather before polishing off the leather.
Change the laces after couple of months. These will always be wet and they can start to become like thin wire if left in the condition.
Running repairs:
Sometimes a shoe will catch on rough surfaces.
A dancer may wear them while not on stage.
Nylon carpets use at events are like sandpaper and very abrasive to soft shoe.
Taking the shoes outside on concrete will wear them down and can damage the sole stitching.
These things happen.
If the sole is work at the stitches use a contact adhesive only never superglue. Contact adhesives include EvoStick and similar types of Contact Adhesive are available anywhere that sells goes. B@Q, Homeserve, Asda, Walmart, and other big stores. In europe, most corner shops as well.
Conclusion.
Does this explanation explain a little more. I hope it does and that you are, hopefully, a little more understanding of he lifespan of soft shoes and the Hullachan brand. Hullachan is an example of our dedication to the dancer and dancers health.
Please feel absolutely free to get back to me. I am always happy to give advice for dancers...and their mums.
Kind regards,
Craig.

14/11/2023

14/11/2023

14/11/2023

14/11/2023

Link to lacing the Hullachan 3.

Find out the great new features on the latest Hullachan Pro pump

14/11/2023

https://www.antoniopacelli.com//community/article/the-new-hullachan-red-collection

Find out more about the new range from Hullachan Pro!

06/11/2023

We received a letter from a dancer who was saddened by the fact that because her own feet were flat after some surgery, she would not be able to use soft shoes. There were no arches with which to create a pointed foot.

The thing is when you dance or practice, that time is usually no more than two hours.

Developing the muscle groups around the foot, especially the calf, shin, upper leg, etc, will support your leg, and that, in addition, the arch exercises I have suggested, will give you some help when wearing softer shoes like Hullachan.

We designed Hullachan to help support the arch and if you put in the extra work to help yourself, i am sure that any sports or specialist Physio will agree with me that this will only help you to dance.

29/09/2023

The Knee and Bending the knee in class.
(Also known as The Grand Plies or deep knee bend)

Knee bends are hard on the knee, especially when returning upwards. Leaning or falling forward puts great strain on the inside of the knee joints and this strain can increase substantially if there is any relaxation or sitting when at the lowest point of the movement. Bad positioning can put a strain on the feet and knees and eventually give serious ligament problems.

The problem arises when the teacher advocates the practice of a deep plies or knee bend. This can stretch the ligaments, the Internal Cruciate Ligaments that can develop a weak knee.

Less experienced dancers may bounce when going down into Grand Plies (Ballet) or a deep knee bend (Any dance or sport)when warming up because they do not have sufficient muscle control. This may open the knee joint suddenly and tear the ligaments supporting the structure. Although all plies/knee bends must be done with perfectly aligned thighs, ankles and feet, this is occasionally not checked in detail. Some dancers rise from Grand Plies or a deep knee bend straight into turn or spinning movement. While acceptable in experienced dancers it is folly to suppose that all dancers can do this as they must have complete physical control of the knee joint. If executed with the weight on the inner side of the thigh resulting in strain on the inner ligament, the medial ligament.
The Grand Plies or deep knee bend should start, as far as the younger pupil is concerned, in the second position, or with the feet turned out and slightly apart. This is easier to correct and less complicated as far as the dancers muscle and joints are concerned.
In second position as described the stretch on the inner thigh, muscle is more immediate than in first position. It stretches the large blood vessels that run down the inner leg and thereby increasing circulation faster than if the knee bend or plies had been executed in first.
The plies or knee bend assists the dancer in warming up. It is important to determine the depth of the grand plies or deep knee bend and even whether it is entirely necessary at the beginning of a class. I would prefer the dancer to be well warmed up before doing a deep knee bend. This is done through looking at the strength of the spine, the flexibility of the hip joint, the elasticity of the muscles on the inner side of the thigh and the length of the Achilles tendon. When you execute plies in second this gradually loosens the hip joints so that the knees are pressed out fully. The movement taken until the thighs is parallel to the floor with the back straight and the knees over the centre of the feet. Yes, of course this takes a few years of practice to get it perfect but it should be practised only as far as the dancer is able.

Important note for Irish and Highland Dancers:
In relation to Highland and Irish dancers who may have short tendons; the grand plies may be a limited action by default. The tendon, attached to the calf muscle may prevent the Highland or Irish dancer from a degree of flexibility in the ankle joint and if pushed, could result in tearing.

In fact, faulty knee bends may well be the cause of slipping cartilage later.

Never allow a pupil to sit in the knee bend as this will result in stress on the joint, ligaments and muscles. Although ligaments can be stretched due to the support of the surrounding muscles, sitting in the plies then make the same ligaments take the weight of the body without muscle protection and this will then weaken the knees.
No professional school would immediately start a class of dancrs at any stage with full knee bends or Grande plies. They would work from semi knee bends or demi plies to develop the warm up as this gradually allows the Knee Joint to function without sudden stress.
Follow knee bends plies with quick single leg exercises to allow good blood flow through to the toes.

Bow Legs
The other problems with knees can be Bow Legs.
Although two kinds exist, one happens mainly with boys where the femur is normal but the tibia curves outward. The main type happens in both sexes where the bow is from the thigh. This is caused when the femoral curve happens on the side of the leg rather than on the front. The resultant space between the knees is caused when the condyles face slightly inwards instead of to the front.
Bow Legs interfere with the correct placement of the hip and the condition, although it can be slightly improved upon, will always be there. Boys can however, achieve a slightly better elevation but girls are more variable as it depends on the position of the feet as they are affected by the position of the legs.
To conclude: although I have said correction of these problems is extremely difficult if not impossible, you should be aware of specialist doctors’ advice. In the early stages Orthotics may help to extend tight musculature or weak musculature to be strengthened but it is important that wrong exercises are not done that may accentuate to alignment of the leg.

Sway Back Knees.
These may be the result of very young dancers having Bow Legs and pressing their knees back stretching the ligaments at the rear of the knee and leaving the front very flat. The dancer being asked to pull up their thighs and instead have pressed the knees back without being corrected may also cause it.
I think that this will probably cover the salient points although I should mention that it really only skims the surface. At least these points affect your job as a teacher and I strongly suggest that the study of this information can only lead to even better teaching.
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND END NOTE: Many of you know my background as far as dance is concerned but I have studied this specialist area for many years. Since 1957 I worked within the sports world as a competitor then Coach and eventually a National Coach. It was my work with the National Paraplegic Team at Stoke Mandeville in the early 80ís that gave me a practical interest in how the body can use different sets of muscles to compensate where normal muscles are no longer in use. In modern sport as well as dance, injury is always a problem and since 1986 I have been seriously interested in dance injury and its prevention. The manufacturing of dance shoes that help avoid injury is the result of these years of study and it is this experience that I hope you find useful.
The following books have always been a source of education and very useful information during those years. I am grateful to the authors for teaching me through their own vast experience. It is their teaching I share with you.
My first recommendation will always be this book:
DANCE INJURY AND INJURY PREVENTION
By Justin Howse and Shirley Hancock
The Remedial Dance Clinic, Harley Street, London.
Published 1988 by A&C Black, 35 Bedford Row, London WC1R 4JH.
Shirley and I worked together on teaching dance shops how to fit shoes correctly.
Shirley inspired me to concentrate my work into the dance world.
DISORDERS OF THE FOOT Volume one and two.
By Melvin H. Jahass MD.
WB Saunders, London. First Published 1984. Reprinted since
DANCE INJURIES, Their Prevention and Care.
By Daniel D. Arnheim.
Published by Dance Books, Cecil Court, London.
Originally by American company, C.V.Moseby. Reprinted since
In the UK I can recommend a great source for books on Anatomy and physiology. http://www.dancebooks.co.uk/books-anatomy-and-physiology-c-…
There are many books available and my library is full of great publications. However the ones that I have shown here are particular recommendations if you can get them. And if you are serious about dance then you should also be serious about learning this important aspect of dance.
This article is not for general publication but purely for the information to teachers of dance. It is not for sale or resale but is used as a study paper only. I strongly advise readers to purchase the books I have mentioned as they can only help you and your pupils in the future.

17/07/2023

Introduced in 2019, our innovative insoles. Hullachan , the home of dancers safety. Others may talk about their innovative designs but Hullachan always delivers. And now, The incredible Hullachan Hug. the first shoe that answers the age-old problem of the 'BAGGY HEEL'
Designed over the last four years by the creator of The Hullachan, the Hullachan Hug is an excellent solution to the baggy heel.

Fitting The Hullachan Hug:
Buy a little smaller than your standard shoe size to allow the special stretch heel to properly fit your heel.

Further information is available from the creator here or through the sales division at Antonio Pacelli.

17/07/2023

The Most Innovative dance shoe ever. At last, a perfectly fitting heel. A wonderfully comfortable fitting shoe that looks beautiful, incredible and always fabulous. The ‘Hullachan Hug’ with the ‘always perfect’ heel fit design.

A wonderful way to get super comfortable and beautiful fitting dance shoes. ‘The Hullachan Hug’

Fitting note: To fully take advantage of this amazing innovative shoe, buy these around a half size down to allow the heel to stretch over the heel. Some narrow feet may need to fit a full size down.