What You'll Learn
- Master foot articulation by peeling through demi-pointe into a full relevé
- Build core stability and balance by testing weight placement during passé holds
- Develop speed and precision with fast footwork drills including échappés and glissades
- Coordinate expressive port de bras with complex leg movements for better musicality
- Improve spatial awareness and proprioception when returning to first position
About This Video
Elevate your technique with this comprehensive 22-minute intermediate ballet class from Broche Ballet. Focused on Pointe Basics, this session is specifically designed to bridge the gap between beginner exercises and intermediate-level combinations. Whether you are looking to refine your foot articulation or build the stamina required for center work, this class provides the technical foundation necessary for success en pointe.
The session begins with a deep dive into the mechanics of the foot. You will focus on executing a proper relevé by emphasizing the peel through the demi-pointe, ensuring you are fully over the box of your pointe shoes. Through repetitive plié-relevé sequences and aggressive rises, you will strengthen the intrinsic muscles of the feet and ankles.
These foundational movements are crucial for developing the stability needed for more advanced choreography. As the class progresses, the focus shifts to coordination and musicality. You will practice character-inspired waltz phrasing while performing balancés and piqués.
The instructor emphasizes the integration of fluid port de bras, teaching you how to move the upper body with grace while maintaining a rigid and supportive lower body. This coordination is essential for transitioning from simple barre exercises to expressive performance pieces. Technical precision is highlighted through fast footwork drills.
You will engage in sequences featuring échappés, passés, and double frappés on pointe. A significant portion of the class is dedicated to mastering the glissade and piqué tombé, where the emphasis remains on keeping the heel lifted and the standing leg strong. This helps in developing better proprioception—knowing exactly where your body is in space—and ensures a clean return to first position every time.
Throughout the lesson, Broche Ballet encourages dancers to test their limits by letting go of the barre. By practicing balance during soutenu and passé holds, you will identify shifts in your weight placement and learn how to adjust your core engagement for maximum stability.
