What You'll Learn
- How to align the upper back over the hips to maintain stability en pointe.
- Strengthening the core and abdominals to support better balance in the center.
- Refining technical execution of relevés, piqués, and pas de cheval.
- Mastering the transition between movements like tombé, chassé, and effacé.
- Developing precision in foundational positions like sous-sous and passé.
About This Video
Solidify your foundation with this specialized Broche Ballet class, focusing on the essential mechanics of dancing en pointe. This session is divided into a 20-minute concentrated barre and a 10-minute center practice, both designed to help you find more stability and grace in your pointe shoes. The central theme of this lesson is the critical relationship between the upper back and the hips. By learning to keep the 'heavy' part of the body—the upper back—properly aligned over your center of gravity, you will unlock a new level of balance and control in your movements.
During the barre portion, we meticulously work through exercises such as tendu and pas de cheval to build foot strength and articulation. The instructor provides visual cues for proper hand placement and posture, ensuring that your relevé is supported by a strong, engaged core. We also explore the importance of upper body control during plié and piqué movements, which are fundamental to more advanced variations. This focused approach prevents common errors like leaning or losing the vertical line, which is vital for safety and technical progression.
In the center, we put these principles to the test with combinations involving sous-sous, passé, and chassé. You will practice moving through effacé and mastering the transition of weight in the tombé. The instructor emphasizes that staying in place during turns and shifts requires constant abdominal engagement and a quiet, controlled upper back. By returning to these basics, you will refine your technique and gain the confidence needed for more complex center work. Whether you are relatively new to pointe work or an experienced dancer looking to polish your form, this class offers the technical insights necessary to elevate your dancing.
