What You'll Learn
- The importance of proper alignment and core engagement for stability en pointe.
- Strategic techniques to correct and manage hyperextension in the legs during exercises.
- How to find your internal barre to maintain balance and control during center work.
- Mastering smooth transitions in passé by maintaining level hip placement.
- Building essential foot and ankle strength through controlled relevé and échappé.
About This Video
Embarking on your pointe journey is an exciting milestone in any dancer's life. At Broche Ballet, we understand that the transition from flat shoes to dancing en pointe requires not just enthusiasm, but a rock-solid foundation of strength and technique. This Pointe Basics: Barre + Center practice class is designed specifically to help you bridge that gap, moving you confidently from a beginner to an intermediate level.
Throughout this session, we dive deep into the mechanics of pointe work. We begin at the barre, where the focus is on the fundamental building blocks: the plié and the relevé. These aren't just warm-ups; they are the essential tools for generating the power needed to rise onto the platform of your pointe shoes.
You will learn how to engage your core muscles effectively to support your movements, ensuring that your weight is distributed correctly to avoid unnecessary strain. One of the unique challenges many dancers face is managing hyperextension in the legs. In this class, we provide specific, actionable corrections to help you maintain a straight yet supported line.
By learning to keep the knees slightly softened rather than locked back during a passé or relevé, you gain better control over your alignment and protect your joints. We also explore the concept of the internal barre—the idea of using your own body's engagement, particularly through the armpits and lats, to find stability when you move into center work. As we transition to the center, we practice movements like the échappé and sous-sus.
These exercises challenge your balance and force you to maintain proper hip placement. When moving into a passé, keeping the hip forward and level is crucial for a successful transition from two legs to one. This class provides the detailed feedback necessary to refine these subtle shifts in weight and placement, helping you achieve a graceful, controlled performance.
Whether you are looking to master your first relevé passé or want to improve your overall stability, this session offers the professional guidance needed to excel.
