What You'll Learn
- How to maintain core alignment during complex weight shifts like tombé and chassé.
- Techniques for finding independence from the barre through controlled holds.
- Coordinating port de bras with lower body movements to stabilize your center.
- Developing ankle strength and stability through échappé and bourrée variations.
About This Video
Pointe work is the pinnacle of a dancer's journey, but it requires more than just foot strength; it requires impeccable balance and core engagement. In this 30-minute practice session at Broche Ballet, we dive deep into the mechanics of stability en pointe. This class is specifically designed to help you move away from the barre and find your own center through deliberate, controlled movements and technical precision.
The session begins with a focused review of core principles before transitioning into foundational exercises that challenge your equilibrium. You will work through tendu, tombé, and coupé sequences that require constant vertical alignment. One of the key focuses of this class is the concept of precise weight shifting. Our instructor emphasizes the 'nose and belly button' rule—keeping your center of gravity moving as one unit to ensure you remain perfectly over your toes, preventing the common mistake of leaning into a movement or falling behind your shoes.
As we progress, we explore bourrée and échappé combinations. These exercises are not just about speed; they are about the 'hold.' By practicing an échappé and sustaining the position, you build the necessary micro-stability in the ankles and calves required for advanced center work. We also integrate specific port de bras throughout the exercises. Many dancers forget that balance is a full-body effort; a well-placed arm and a strong back are essential for maintaining your line and posture while en pointe.
Throughout the class, you will be encouraged to resist the urge to grab the barre for support. By treating the barre as a light guide rather than a crutch, you will develop the strength to balance independently. This class concludes with a final combination that merges these techniques, helping you feel more confident, stable, and graceful in your pointe shoes.
