What You'll Learn
- How to track the heel bone over the second toe during demi-pointe to prevent sickling.
- The Vaganova 'low demi-pointe' method for superior weight distribution and ankle stability.
- Techniques to engage the 'spiral' of turnout from the glutes down to the arches.
- How to achieve a 'winged' foot shape in sous-sus by shifting weight away from the pinky toes.
About This Video
Elevate your technical foundation with Broche Ballet in this comprehensive 52-minute class dedicated to the mechanics of the feet. This session dives deep into the intricate details of achieving a correct demi-pointe and a secure sous-sus. Whether you are working toward pointe work or simply wish to refine your stability at the barre, understanding the alignment of the ankle is crucial for every dancer.
The instructor introduces a foundational concept from the Vaganova system: the 'low demi-pointe'. This specific technique is a powerful tool for teaching proper weight distribution. By focusing on a lower, more intentional rise, dancers can ensure the heel bone tracks directly over the second toe.
This alignment is vital to prevent sickling—a common technical error that can lead to instability and injury. Throughout the class, you will explore how a technically correct rise might feel lower than a forced, sickled one, yet provides a far superior aesthetic line and structural support. A key highlight of this class is the 'spiral' or 'swivel' motion of the leg.
Turnout is not just at the hips; it is a rotation that must be engaged from the glutes and carried all the way through the calf to the arch of the foot. By maintaining this spiral during exercises such as tendu, relevé, and demi-plié, you learn to 'wing' the foot slightly rather than rolling outward onto the pinky toes. This shift in weight placement is essential for a clean sous-sus and transitions into more advanced movements.
Expect a rigorous series of barre exercises including ronds de jambe and rises in first, parallel, and fifth positions. These movements are designed to increase ankle strength and muscle memory, ensuring that every time you leave the floor, your feet are working with precision. Join Broche Ballet for this technical deep-dive and transform the way you use your feet on the dance floor.
