Beginner Ballet Pointe Class #4: Mastering Sous-sus and Bourrées

Welcome to Class #4 of our comprehensive 16-week Beginner Pointe program at Broche Ballet. This specific session is dedicated to the technical nuances of sous-sus and bourrées, building upon the foundations laid in the first three weeks of the series. As you progress in your ballet journey, the transition from supporting yourself on two legs to balancing on one becomes a major milestone.

We start the class by focusing on the essential muscle tone required in the toes, calves, and knees. This internal strength is what allows a dancer to rise en pointe with grace rather than force. A significant portion of this lesson is devoted to the mastery of bourrées.

To help you achieve that effortless, gliding look, we practice keeping the toes sharply pointed and in constant contact with the shank of the pointe shoe. This technique is the key to preventing the common beginner wobble and maintaining a tight, professional line. Furthermore, we explore the mechanics of moving into coup-de-pied.

You will learn how to firm up the foot and ankle before the weight shift happens, which is critical for maintaining alignment and preventing the foot from sinking into the box. The session also introduces elements of petit allegro, showing how these basic positions translate into faster, more dynamic footwork. We understand that pointe work can be demanding on the body, so we have included a specific stretching segment at the end of the class.

These stretches focus on the outsides of the feet and the ankles, areas that often feel tight after intensive work. By practicing these recovery techniques while your muscles are still warm, you ensure long-term foot health and better performance in subsequent classes. At Broche Ballet, we are committed to providing adult dancers with high-quality technical instruction.

This class is designed to help you build the confidence and strength necessary for successful pointe work.