What You'll Learn
- Proper foot placement and alignment while dancing en pointe
- How to execute precise dégagé and fondu movements to build leg strength
- Mastering the transition from two hands to one hand on the barre for better balance
- Refining the 'peel' and roll-through technique for smooth relevé and descent
- Developing control and poise during adagio, développé, and cambré sequences
About This Video
Transitioning from basic pointe exercises to more fluid, intermediate combinations requires a unique combination of physical strength, technical precision, and mental confidence. In this comprehensive 27-minute class from Broche Ballet, we focus on the fundamental building blocks of pointe work at the barre, specifically designed to help adult dancers bridge the gap between introductory steps and more advanced adagio sequences. The lesson begins with a deep dive into proper foot placement and alignment within the shoe.
Understanding how to 'peel' the foot off the floor and roll through the box of your pointe shoes is essential for developing the articulation and vamp control needed for professional-looking technique. We guide you through a series of essential barre exercises including dégagé, where we emphasize the speed of the foot and the sharpness of the movement, and fondu, focusing on the 'melting' quality and the intense strength required of the supporting leg. A key component of this session is the transition to using only one hand on the barre.
This shift is a significant milestone in a dancer's journey, as it challenges your core stability and necessitates finding your own center of gravity, which is vital for future center work. You will practice movements like pas de bourrée and pas de chat, learning how to maintain your turnout and square hips even as the combinations become more rhythmically complex. In the adagio portion of the class, we explore slower, sustained movements such as développé and cambré back.
These exercises are the ultimate test of a dancer's control en pointe, building the muscular endurance required to hold elegant positions without wobbling. We also cover the mechanics of the piqué step and the rond de jambe, ensuring that every transition is executed with grace. Throughout the session, the instructor provides encouraging feedback and technical tips, such as the importance of taking short, intentional balances to test your stability.
By focusing on the nuanced details of every relevé and sous-sous, you will cultivate the poise and foundational strength necessary for beautiful, confident pointe work.
