What You'll Learn
- Techniques for executing a controlled roll down on a single leg to build eccentric strength.
- How to articulate the foot properly through pas de cheval while en pointe.
- Methods for bending your pointe shoes during ton lié to improve flexibility.
- Proper ankle and foot alignment to prevent injury and improve balance.
- Targeted exercises to build endurance in the metatarsals and lower legs.
About This Video
Welcome back to the Broche Ballet Beginner Pointe Cohort. As we enter Week 5 of our 16-week journey, our focus shifts toward the precision and strength required for single-leg control. This class is specifically designed to bridge the gap between two-footed stability and the nuanced demands of dancing en pointe on a single leg.
We start with a comprehensive warm-up that emphasizes the importance of the arch stretch and maintaining the health of the Achilles tendon. Proper alignment is the absolute foundation of pointe work; without it, technical progress stalls. The instructor guides you through a series of foundational exercises at the barre, including meticulous ton liés and sous-sous.
A key focus this week is learning how to properly bend the pointe shoe as you push off the floor, ensuring you are working through the shoe rather than fighting against its structure. The core of today's lesson is the introduction of the single leg roll down. This exercise is vital for developing the eccentric strength needed to descend from pointe with grace and control.
We also explore the pas de cheval, focusing on the delicate 'horse’s step' motion that requires both foot articulation and turnout. Maintaining proper ankle alignment and avoiding 'sickling' is emphasized throughout every relevé. To wrap up the session, we engage in a 'leg and foot burner'—a series of high-repetition exercises designed to build the endurance necessary for longer variations.
Whether you are working on your plié depth or your transition through the demi-pointe, this class provides the technical breakdown you need to feel confident and secure in your shoes. By the end of this session, you will have a better understanding of how to show the shape of your shoes while maintaining the strength needed for advanced movements.
