What You'll Learn
- Refining piqué dégagé technique, ensuring the heel lifts before the box strikes for a cleaner strike.
- Mastering the transition from two hands to one hand on the barre to build core-based balance.
- Practicing fluid sequences involving tombé, pas de bourrée, and piqué to prepare for center work.
- Improving posture and épaulement, including croisé positioning with coordinated arm movements.
- Developing the foot strength required for controlled coupé piqué and articulating the roll-down through the box.
About This Video
Welcome to another focused session at Broche Ballet, where we bridge the gap between foundational exercises and center-floor mastery. This 29-minute class, 'Gentle Pointe Warmup + Venturing off the Barre,' is specifically designed for dancers ready to challenge their stability and reduce their reliance on the barre. We begin with a gentle warmup to prepare the feet and ankles, incorporating essential movements like plié and relevé to ensure your alignment is secure before moving into more dynamic work.
As we transition to practicing with only one hand on the barre, the focus shifts toward core engagement and finding your vertical axis. A major highlight of this lesson is the technical breakdown of the piqué dégagé. One of the most common pitfalls for intermediate students is 'stabbing' the floor with the box; here, we emphasize that the front heel must lift before the box makes contact, ensuring a light and articulate movement.
We also explore the sequence of piqué, dégagé, tombé, and pas de bourrée, helping you link steps together with the fluidity required for center work. Throughout the class, we encourage you to experiment with épaulement, specifically practicing in a croisé position with the arm held out to the side. This not only improves your balance but also adds an artistic layer to your practice.
We also delve into the nuances of the coupé piqué, encouraging a controlled roll-down through the shoe rather than a flat landing. Whether you choose to pick up on flat or en pointe, the goal is to build the confidence to eventually let go of the barre entirely. At Broche Ballet, we believe that technique and joy go hand-in-hand, and this class provides the perfect environment to test your limits while receiving expert guidance on posture and alignment.
Join us as we take these exciting steps toward intermediate pointe mastery.
