What You'll Learn
- The visualization of toes as levers to increase vertical lift
- How to actively press the floor away to engage intrinsic foot muscles
- Techniques for achieving a higher and more stable demi-pointe
- The connection between toe strength and success in pointe shoes
About This Video
In the world of ballet, a high and stable relevé is the foundation for everything from powerful pirouettes to graceful adagio. At Broche Ballet, we understand that achieving that extra inch of height isn't just about calf strength; it’s about how you use your feet against the floor. This quick tutorial focuses on a transformative visualization: treating your toes as levers.
Instead of simply thinking about lifting your heels, shift your focus to the tips of your toes. By keeping your toes flat and pressing them firmly into the floor, you create a prying action. Imagine your toes are little levers working to pry the ball of your foot higher off the ground.
This downward pressure results in an upward lift, allowing you to reach the true peak of your relevé. This technique is especially crucial for dancers preparing for or currently training in pointe shoes. The strength and stability required to stay on the platform of a pointe shoe start with the control you develop in your toes during demi-pointe work.
When you actively press the floor away, you engage the intrinsic muscles of the foot, leading to a more secure and aesthetically pleasing line. Whether you are working at the barre or in the center, focusing on this prying motion will help you find greater stability. A higher relevé shifts your center of gravity more directly over the ball of the foot, making it easier to maintain balance during complex movements.
Join Broche Ballet as we break down these subtle mechanical shifts that make a massive difference in your dance journey. Practice this concept daily to build the foot strength necessary for advanced ballet technique.
