Fall 2023 Beginner Pointe Series: Introduction to Échappé

Welcome to Class 11 of the Broche Ballet 16-week Beginner Pointe program. In this session, we shift our focus to a fundamental movement in every dancer's vocabulary: the échappé. Translated as an "escaping" movement, the échappé requires a precise combination of strength, timing, and control as you transition from a closed position to an open one en pointe. This class is designed to deconstruct the mechanics of this movement, ensuring you build the necessary muscle memory to execute it safely and beautifully.

We begin our session with a focused warm-up and stretching routine, specifically targeting the Achilles and the intricate muscles of the feet. This preparation is vital for ensuring your ankles are supple and ready for the demands of the barre. Once warm, we dive into the mechanics of the échappé. You will learn how to initiate the movement from a solid demi-plié, pushing through your heels to rise into a crisp relevé. A key focus of this class is the "slide." Instead of simply jumping or stepping, we emphasize the feeling of sliding the feet along the floor into the open position, which creates that iconic, fluid ballet aesthetic.

Safety and control are our top priorities at Broche Ballet. The instructor provides detailed demonstrations on both "getting up" into the échappé and "coming down" with grace. You will practice scooping the floor with your working foot as you return to plié, using your core and leg strength to absorb the impact and maintain perfect alignment. Throughout the 30-minute practice, we provide cues to help you keep your knees straight and your core engaged, preventing common pitfalls in early pointe work. Whether you are looking to refine your relevé or master the transition between positions, this class offers the technical breakdown every beginner needs to succeed.