What You'll Learn
- Coordinate complex pas de bourrée over and under sequences en pointe.
- Maintain proper torso alignment with shoulders over hips during extensions.
- Build ankle strength and endurance through sustained relevé practice.
- Execute articulated frappés and rond de jambe en l'air with stability.
- Understand the mechanics of reversing intricate barre combinations.
About This Video
Elevate your pointe technique with this focused 30-minute barre session from Broche Ballet. Led by Julie, this class is specifically designed to challenge both your physical strength and your cognitive agility through what we call 'brain puzzles' at the barre. While many pointe classes focus solely on repetitive strength building, this lesson emphasizes the coordination and mental sharpness required to execute complex ballet sequences while en pointe. The session begins with fundamental movements to warm up the feet, including precise relevé and plié exercises that set the foundation for the work to come.
You will navigate through intricate sous-sus and échappé combinations that require absolute control and deep core engagement. A primary focus of this class is maintaining vertical alignment; Julie provides expert technical cues on keeping your shoulders stacked directly over your hips, ensuring your weight is correctly distributed over the box of your pointe shoes, even during challenging dégagé and développé sequences. The 'brain puzzle' element is prominently featured during the pas de bourrée over and under combinations. These sequences require quick thinking and precise footwork, helping you transition more fluidly between positions.
As the class progresses, you will tackle frappés and rond de jambe en l'air, which challenge your stability on a single leg. These movements are essential for developing the articulation and 'speed' needed for more advanced variations. Throughout the class, we explore the mechanics of reversing movements and understanding why certain steps, like the sous-sus, remain a constant unit regardless of the direction of the legs. We conclude the session with a dedicated minute of relevés—a proven method for building the necessary ankle strength and endurance for sustained pointe work. Whether you are looking to refine your technique or push your coordination to the next level, this video offers a comprehensive workout for the dedicated ballet student.
