What You'll Learn
- How to maintain a properly curved shank during ankle flexing drills
- Proper execution of bourrée and pas de bourrée en pointe with turned-out alignment
- Essential Achilles and ankle stretches to prevent pain and improve flexibility
- Techniques for piqué and adagio combinations to build core stability and control
About This Video
Welcome to Class 14 of the Broche Ballet 16-week Beginner Pointe Program. This session is meticulously designed to bridge the gap between basic stability and fluid movement en pointe. We begin with specialized flexing drills that are essential for every developing dancer.
You will learn the importance of keeping the shank of your pointe shoe curved while flexing the ankle, practicing rises in parallel followed by a plié en pointe. This 'cashew foot' alignment ensures you are working through your shoes correctly, building the necessary strength in the intrinsic muscles of the feet. Moving into center work, we focus extensively on bourrée technique.
Mastering the bourrée requires a high level of control, focusing on turned-out feet and a tight squeeze in the sous-sus position. We also break down the pas de bourrée, emphasizing the importance of keeping the back foot flexed to maintain stability and correct alignment during quick transitions. Throughout the class, we incorporate adagio movements and piqué exercises to challenge your balance and control.
Safety and longevity are paramount at Broche Ballet, so this lesson includes dedicated time for Achilles and ankle stretches. Whether you are dealing with minor tightness or simply want to prevent injury, these drills—such as stepping one foot behind the other for a targeted stretch—are vital for your progress. By the end of this 26-minute practice, you will have a deeper understanding of how to maintain proper form while executing complex footwork combinations.
