What You'll Learn
- How to control the descent in tombé movements to achieve a silent, 'no noise' landing.
- Techniques for delaying weight transfer to maintain balance and stability in center work.
- Using sous-sus and soutenu to transition smoothly between intermediate combinations.
- How to utilize both feet to absorb impact when coming off pointe to protect joints.
- Developing the 'up and back' mental cue to prevent falling over the supporting leg.
About This Video
Welcome to this intermediate center practice at Broche Ballet, where we focus on one of the most challenging aspects of pointe work: achieving smooth, soft, and controlled landings. Dancing en pointe requires more than just strength to rise; it demands extreme control to descend gracefully. In this 16-minute session, we break down the mechanics of the tombé pas de bruit—the "step of no noise"—to help you master the art of silent movement.
Our instructor guides you through a series of exercises designed to build awareness of your center and gravity. You will learn the importance of delaying the forward part of a tombé until your heel is ready to touch the floor, ensuring you do not simply fall into your steps. By thinking "up and back" as you reach for the floor, you create a sense of suspension that is essential for professional-looking pointe work.
The class covers a variety of center movements, including relevé, sous-sus balances, and soutenu turns. We focus heavily on landing from a coupé position, teaching you how to use both feet to absorb impact and maintain your alignment. This dual-foot landing technique is a game-changer for stability, allowing you to transition into the next movement—whether it is a passé plié or a chassé forward—with total confidence.
Throughout the lesson, you are encouraged to think about lifting high out of your pointe shoes even as you descend. This counter-intuitive upward thought process is what allows for the soft, buttery landings that characterize elegant ballet. We also explore the nuances of the soutenu and how it acts as a bridge between movements.
By mastering the timing of your weight transfer, you will find that you have more time to execute clean lines and expressive port de bras. Join us at Broche Ballet as we refine your technique, improve your balance, and help you find more ease and fluidity in your intermediate pointe practice.
