Beginner Pointe Cohort Week 3: Mastering Sous-sus and Stability

Welcome to week three of the Broche Ballet Beginner Pointe Cohort! This session marks a significant milestone in your journey en pointe as we introduce the foundational movement of the sous-sus. Whether you are a dedicated adult learner or a student looking to refine your technique, this class focuses on the essential transition from basic foot placement to more complex, controlled movements at the barre.

During this practice, we delve deep into the mechanics of the foot inside the shoe. One of our core philosophies at Broche Ballet is that your pointe shoes are not living objects; they are tools that only come alive through the active strength of your feet. We will work on maintaining a firm, elongated foot by focusing on the tibialis posterior muscle.

By keeping this muscle engaged and lengthening the toes, you prevent the common mistake of "sitting" in your shoes, ensuring a safer and more aesthetic line. The class curriculum includes targeted exercises such as demi-plié, tendu, and coupé. We pay special attention to the sous-sus, emphasizing a sharp, clean draw-up into fifth position.

You will learn how to squeeze your inner thighs and ankles together to prevent wobbling, creating a solid "one-foot" appearance. We also explore positions like coup-de-pied and sur le cou-de-pied, emphasizing the correct shape of the foot to maintain alignment while balancing. Strength building is a recurring theme this week.

We introduce preparatory movements for the single-leg roll down, a skill that requires immense control and ankle stability. By practicing repetitive movements like pas de cheval and disciplined relevé work, you are conditioning your body for the rigors of center work in future lessons. Remember, progress en pointe is built on the repetition of these fundamental habits.

Let’s step up to the barre and bring those shoes to life!