Beginner Pointe 16-Week Program: Class #2 - Articulation and Stamina

Welcome to the second installment of Broche Ballet’s comprehensive 16-week Beginner Pointe program. This 30-minute practice session is a critical step in building the physical foundation required for dancing en pointe safely and effectively. Unlike standard technique classes, this session requires you to arrive with your pointe shoes already on and ribbons tied, ready to dive straight into intensive footwork. The core focus of Class #2 is developing foot articulation and the ankle stamina necessary for sustained work en pointe.

A major focus of this lesson is learning exactly where your feet are positioned within the box of the shoe. Being 'strapped in' can sometimes dull sensory feedback, so we practice specific drills to identify proper placement in positions like sous-sus and coup-de-pied. You will learn to navigate the transition between these positions, choosing between maintaining a full sous-sus or transitioning through a coupé. These subtle shifts are essential for developing the precision needed for stable weight transfers and eventually moving into center work.

The class guides you through a series of plié and relevé exercises designed to strengthen the tibialis posterior. By training the heel to pull up and forward, you ensure that your weight is correctly distributed over the platform of the shoe. This alignment prevents 'knuckling' and builds the endurance to remain en pointe for longer durations. We work extensively in parallel and first position to ensure your alignment is squared and supported by a strong core before introducing the complexities of turnout. Throughout the lesson, our instructors provide detailed explanations and demonstrations to ensure you execute every movement with proper technique. By the end of Class #2, you will have a deeper understanding of your own foot anatomy and the specific mechanics required to progress through your first 16 weeks of pointe training.