What You'll Learn
- Mastering proper ankle alignment and big toe placement inside your pointe shoes
- Effective stretches for the Achilles tendon and calf muscles to improve ankle range of motion
- Executing clean transitions from demi-pointe to full pointe during barre routines
- Techniques for maintaining turnout and knee alignment during foundational pliés
- Practical foot care tips and shoe maintenance for beginner pointe dancers
About This Video
Welcome to the second week of the Broche Ballet 16-week Beginner Pointe program. This session is a pivotal step in your journey, titled "Start with your Shoes On!" for a very specific reason: building a functional relationship with your footwear is just as important as the technique itself. In this 30-minute class, we transition into more active movement while wearing your pointe shoes, focusing heavily on foundational stability and the anatomical alignment required for safe dancing.
The core of today's lesson revolves around ankle stretching and precise alignment. We begin with a comprehensive warm-up at the barre, designed to wake up the small muscles of the feet and the larger muscles of the lower leg. You will learn the importance of maintaining proper alignment over the big toe, ensuring that you do not roll in or sickle your feet while en pointe or in demi-pointe. This foundational habit is crucial for preventing common ballet injuries and ensuring long-term health for your feet and ankles.
We will explore specific exercises such as the plié and relevé, with a focus on how these movements feel different once you are supported by the box of a pointe shoe. The instructor provides detailed guidance on stretching the Achilles tendon and relaxing the calf muscles, which are often tight in beginners. By incorporating small circles with the knees during a plié and focusing on keeping the heels firmly on the ground during stretches, you will achieve a deeper range of motion and better control.
Furthermore, the class introduces movements like the pas de cheval and chassé to improve your foot articulation. We also touch upon the nuances of turnout, ensuring you are rotating from the hips while maintaining a stable base through your feet. Whether you are working in a parallel position to find your center or exploring your natural turnout, this class provides the technical scaffolding necessary for the weeks ahead. Join us at Broche Ballet as we refine your technique and build the confidence needed to dance beautifully en pointe.
