What You'll Learn
- How to apply the concept of opposition to maintain balance and control during center work.
- Techniques for transitioning from two hands to one hand on the barre to build core stability.
- Mastering complex footwork including fondu, pas de bourrée, and rond de jambe en pointe.
- The importance of vertical alignment and keeping the foot underneath the head for weight transfers.
- Improving artistic expression through controlled momentum and proper entrance techniques into poses.
About This Video
Welcome to Broche Ballet's intermediate pointe practice, a comprehensive 46-minute session designed to bridge the gap between barre-assisted stability and fluid center work. This class focuses on the critical transition from using one hand on the barre to executing complex sequences in the center, challenging both your physical balance and your technical precision. Throughout this session, we emphasize the fundamental concept of opposition.
By feeling the dynamic energy between the crown of your head and the tips of your pointe shoes, you will discover a more secure and reliable axis. This internal alignment is vital for mastering the intermediate repertoire, including controlled relevé movements and the expansive extension of an arabesque. Our curriculum begins at the barre, where we utilize one hand for support.
This intentional shift encourages the dancer to engage their core and find their own center of gravity rather than relying on the barre for stability. We progress through a series of foundational exercises, including plié and tendu to warm up the intrinsic muscles of the feet, followed by more demanding fondu and rond de jambe combinations. These exercises are specifically tailored to build the ankle strength and calf endurance required for the subsequent center sequences.
As we transition to the center, the focus shifts to sophisticated weight placement and the principle of 'foot under head' mechanics. The instructor guides you through the necessity of keeping the supporting foot directly underneath your center of gravity during transitions. Whether you are performing a pas de bourrée or a sweeping entrance into a pose, maintaining this vertical alignment is the key to achieving a professional line.
We also explore the nuances of croisé and effacé directions, helping you add artistic depth to your technical foundation. By the end of this Broche Ballet session, you will have a deeper understanding of how momentum and a strong push-off contribute to your overall expression en pointe. Regularly practicing these choreographed routines will yield significant improvements in your control, confidence, and artistic fluidity.
