What You'll Learn
- The 'lever' visualization to maximize your relevé height and stability.
- How to press the floor away effectively to create upward lift.
- Techniques to keep toes flat and engaged rather than curling or 'scrunching.'
- How to build the intrinsic foot strength required for future pointe work.
About This Video
Achieving a high, stable relevé is a hallmark of strong ballet technique. Whether you are working at the barre or in the center, the height of your heel off the floor significantly impacts your balance, your lines, and eventually, your readiness for advanced work such as dancing en pointe. In this specialized video from Broche Ballet, we dive into a powerful technical secret: the "toe lever" concept.
Many dancers mistakenly focus only on the calf muscles when trying to rise. While the calves are vital, the toes play a crucial role in achieving true verticality. We teach you how to treat your toes as mechanical levers.
By pressing the pads of your toes firmly and flatly into the floor, you create a prying action that helps propel the ball of the foot even higher. This downward pressure into the floor creates the necessary resistance to lift your center of gravity more effectively. This "prying" sensation is a game-changer for those feeling stuck at a mid-level relevé height.
When the toes are active, the entire kinetic chain of the leg—from the arch through the ankle and up to the glutes—engages more efficiently. This not only results in a more aesthetic line but also provides the stability needed for complex turns like a pirouette or sustained balances in an arabesque. At Broche Ballet, we emphasize the importance of understanding the mechanics behind every movement.
By mastering the lever action of the toes, you are building the intrinsic foot strength essential for every level of ballet. This technique prevents common issues like "scrunching" or curling the toes, which can lead to injury and poor balance. Instead, you learn to keep the toes long and strong, providing a wide and stable base.
Incorporate this focus into your daily barre routine, specifically during slow rises and plié sequences, to see a transformation in your elevation and confidence.
