What You'll Learn
- How to use fondu and floor pressure to shape the shank of your pointe shoe to your arch.
- Techniques for lifting up out of the shoe to prevent sinking and improve stability.
- Maintaining precise heel and toe alignment during complex weight transfers.
- Refining balance and control through relevé, pas de bourrée, and sous-sus combinations.
About This Video
Pointework is a delicate balance between the dancer's strength and the support provided by their shoes. " These concepts are vital for any dancer looking to move with grace and stability en pointe. Many dancers struggle with the sensation of sinking into their boxes, which can cause pain and hinder technical progress.
This class addresses these issues by teaching you how to command your equipment, ensuring the shanks bend to your foot's will rather than the other way around. We begin the class with foundational exercises that emphasize the transition through demi-pointe to full pointe and into a deep plié. The primary focus here is maintaining the vertical alignment of the heel and toe.
You will learn how to use a deep fondu press against the floor to actively mold the shank of the shoe to your arch. This technique ensures that the shoe remains a supportive extension of your body, rather than a rigid obstacle. By consciously squeezing the legs together, you create the internal power necessary to maintain a beautiful line even during demanding movements.
The session progresses through a series of dynamic combinations including relevé, pas de bourrée, and sous-sus. These exercises are specifically curated to help you find your center and stay "lifted" throughout weight changes and directional shifts. We also explore the utility of using the back foot to press the front foot forward, a technique that helps stretch the ankle and maintain proper placement.
The class concludes with a targeted stretch for the front of the ankle and the arches, which is essential for recovery and maintaining flexibility. Whether you are preparing for a performance or simply refining your daily practice, mastering these subtle adjustments in your pointework will lead to greater confidence and a more professional aesthetic. Join Broche Ballet as we refine these essential skills to take your pointework to the next level.
