What You'll Learn
- Maintain a consistent arch shape across all ballet positions for better stability
- Master the heel-forward rotation during tendu and grand battement combinations
- Develop full-body awareness to correct natural misalignment and sickling tendencies
- Learn specific visual cues to monitor your own foot shape from a dancer's perspective
About This Video
In this comprehensive Beginner Ballet Barre session from Broche Ballet, we take a deep dive into one of the most fundamental yet challenging aspects of technique: the shape and alignment of the foot. Understanding how your foot should look from your own viewpoint is crucial for self-correction and long-term progress. Many dancers struggle with the natural tendency to let the toes lead or the arch collapse, but this class provides the visualizations and physical cues needed to overcome those habits.
The lesson begins with a tour of foot anatomy as it relates to dance, focusing on the relationship between the heel, toes, and arch. You will explore exercises designed to strengthen the ankles and toes while maintaining a lifted arch in every position. A key focus is the concept of stacking the foot and ensuring that the pinky toe remains engaged without compromising the rotation of the ankle.
As we move through the barre, we apply these principles to classic combinations such as tendu, dégagé, and grand battement. The instructor emphasizes the heel-forward movement, particularly when moving to the side or front. You will learn how to swivel the heel out and forward, effectively hiding the arch from your own perspective.
When moving to the back, the focus shifts to preventing the toes from leading, ensuring the foot stays almost parallel to the ground for a clean line. This class also addresses the importance of full-body awareness. Maintaining correct foot shape is not just about the feet; it requires control from the hips down to the tips of the toes.
By the end of this 57-minute practice, you will have a better understanding of how to maintain turnout and alignment throughout your ballet journey. Whether you are practicing at home or in a studio, these technical foundations will help you dance with more grace, stability, and confidence. Join us at Broche Ballet to refine your technique and build a beautiful, strong foundation.
