What You'll Learn
- How to properly articulate through the shoe during a demi-plié
- Mastering foot alignment and placement for coup de pied movements
- Developing the strength to transition smoothly between tendu and en pointe
- Understanding how to use the box of the pointe shoe for stability
- Building confidence in basic positions while wearing pointe shoes
About This Video
Welcome to the inaugural session of the Broche Ballet 2025 Beginner Pointe Cohort. This 45-minute introductory class is designed specifically for dancers who are ready to take their first steps on their toes. Transitioning to pointe work is an exciting milestone in any dancer's journey, but it requires a careful, technical approach to ensure longevity and safety.
In this class, we move away from the mere appearance of pointe and focus entirely on the mechanics of the foot within the shoe. We begin by exploring the sensation of the pointe shoe box. For many beginners, the stiffness of a new shoe can be intimidating.
We use gentle demi-plié exercises to help you understand how your foot interacts with the internal structure of the shoe. A key takeaway from this session is learning not to force the ankles when descending from a rise; instead, we focus on articulating through the metatarsals and using the toenails as a guide to roll through the box. This ensures that you are pushing down to go up and controlling your weight as you return to the floor.
Proper alignment is at the heart of the Broche Ballet method. During this class, we will work through essential movements such as tendu and coup de pied. You will learn the importance of keeping the heel forward when executing coup de pied devant and wrapping the heel behind the calf for the back position.
We also discuss the minute details of placement, such as ensuring the pinky toe sits just above the ribbons when en pointe. These small adjustments prevent sickling and help build a stable, aesthetic line. By focusing on these foundational positions, you will develop the necessary strength and muscle memory to eventually move away from the barre.
This session sets the stage for our next class, where we will delve deeper into first and second positions. Join us as we build your pointe technique from the ground up, one plié at a time.
