What You'll Learn
- How to maintain foot doming and arch strength to prevent shank softening
- Proper piqué and sous-sous techniques for a stable base en pointe
- Transitioning through center work using soutenu, chassé, and pas marché
- Mechanics of releasing the shank during a plié for controlled landings
- Postural alignment tips to improve balance and core engagement
About This Video
Elevate your ballet practice with our specialized "Pointe Basics: Barre and Center" class at Broche Ballet. Transitioning from beginner to intermediate pointe work is a significant milestone in any dancer’s journey, requiring a deep focus on technical precision and functional strength. This comprehensive 38-minute lesson is designed to help you build the confidence and stability needed to master the art of dancing en pointe.
The class starts with a dedicated segment for stretching and warm-up exercises. Preparing your feet, ankles, and calves is crucial for preventing injury and ensuring your body is ready for the rigors of pointe work. Once warm, we move to the barre to focus on foundational movements such as piqué and sous-sous.
Here, the instructor emphasizes the importance of "stabbing" the floor with a strong foot, rather than tentatively stepping. You will learn how to maintain a doming shape in your arches, preventing the common mistake of letting the shanks of your shoes soften or flex, which can lead to instability. As we transition to center work, the focus shifts to balance and fluid movement.
You will practice essential steps like the soutenu and pas marché, learning to maintain your alignment while moving across the floor. Our curriculum highlights the necessity of releasing the shanks from the arches when coming down into a plié, allowing for a controlled and graceful descent. This attention to detail ensures that every movement, from a simple chassé to a complex bourrée, is executed with professional form.
At Broche Ballet, we believe that slow, controlled practice is the key to long-term success. By concentrating on your knee and ankle alignment and keeping your hips forward, you will develop a stable base for more advanced turns and jumps. This class provides the perfect environment to refine your technique, improve your posture, and gain the strength necessary for intermediate-level combinations.
Join us as we work toward better balance and more confident movement en pointe.
