Pointe Practice: Barre & Center for Confidence and Balance

Take your pointe work to the next level with this comprehensive 45-minute practice session from Broche Ballet. Designed for intermediate dancers, this class is structured into two distinct segments: a 25-minute barre warm-up followed by 20 minutes of center work. Instructor Julie guides you through exercises specifically curated to address the nuances of weight shifting, dynamic balance, and artistic flow.

The session begins at the barre, where the focus is on foundational strength and precise alignment. Through a sequence of relevé, plié, and rond de jambe, you will prepare your feet and ankles for the stability required en pointe. A key technical focus during this portion is the relationship between the hips and the feet, ensuring a solid base for the movements to come.

Moving to the center, the lesson transitions into more complex combinations including adagio and traveling steps. You will work on mastering the tombé pas de bourrée and pas de basque, focusing on the fluidity of weight transfer. Julie highlights a critical tip for successful pirouettes en pointe: the forward drive of the hips during preparation.

By understanding how to generate momentum through the hips, you can achieve greater speed and control in your turns. The class also tackles the pas de bourrée entournant, a complex movement requiring exceptional control over the feet and posture. Throughout the session, the emphasis remains on building the confidence to move off the barre with grace and power.

Whether you are refining your pirouette execution or working on the precision of your footwork in a chassé, this class provides the professional feedback and technical insights needed to excel in your pointe journey.