What You'll Learn
- Techniques for weight shifting in demi-plié to improve balance
- Strengthening the feet through intentional dégagé and tendu movements
- Refining alignment and posture en pointe during promenade and soutenu
- Essential foot and Achilles stretches to maintain flexibility and health
About This Video
Building strength en pointe requires consistency, precision, and dedication. In this 15-minute express class from Broche Ballet, you will focus on the fundamental mechanics needed to feel secure and powerful in your pointe shoes. Whether you are a beginner looking to stabilize your ankles or a seasoned dancer wanting a quick supplemental workout, this barre-focused routine delivers results in a condensed timeframe.
The class begins with essential warm-up movements, including sous-sus and deep stretches to prepare the muscles of the feet and lower legs. We emphasize the importance of the demi-plié, focusing on shifting weight effectively from hip to hip to maintain control during transitions. As we progress into technical combinations, we utilize dégagé and tendu to build the articulation required for crisp footwork.
Throughout the session, the instructor highlights key alignment cues that are often overlooked. You will be encouraged to keep 'long toes' within your shoes, avoiding crunching, while lifting tall through the crown of the head and pulling the shoulders down. These small adjustments in posture significantly impact your ability to stay over your box en pointe.
We also explore more complex stability exercises like the promenade and soutenu, which challenge your core and rotational strength. One of the highlights of this workout is the focus on the coup-de-pied and petit battement. These movements require a high level of control and speed, helping to develop the fast-twitch muscles necessary for more advanced ballet repertoire.
To ensure safety and longevity, the class concludes with a series of parallel pliés and Achilles stretches. These cooldown movements are designed to release tension under the feet and through the ankles, ensuring you remain flexible and injury-free. At Broche Ballet, we believe that every minute counts.
This 'pack-a-punch' routine proves that you do not need an hour-long session to make meaningful progress.