Hey Jill!
Two thoughts on this. Try keeping some tension on the tail to help maintain that connection with the foot. Using some turn out, especially to the back arabasque shape, to keep the pocket of the arch of the instep working to your advantage. This connection is helped by longer feet and higher arches but is definitely possible for any foot in all it’s specific glory. You can try with a flexed foot to really feel the connection and add the bonus of pointed toes once you have wrangled that tail and foot friendship. The second question will be covered in the answer for @ncuppps below as it seems similar!
