Mastering Pointe Basics: Confident Piqué and Smooth Bourrées

Welcome to Broche Ballet’s comprehensive guide to mastering the foundations of en pointe work. This 39-minute class is specifically designed to bridge the gap between beginner and intermediate levels, focusing on the mechanics of weight transfer, balance, and the execution of confident piqué movements. Whether you are practicing at home or in the studio, this session provides the structured guidance needed to build strength and elegance.

We begin at the barre, establishing the essential alignment and foot strength required for more complex movements. The curriculum covers foundational exercises including plié, tendu, and arabesque, with a particular focus on the plié en avant. A key highlight of this class is the breakdown of the 'D’Angio' développé front, a sequence that emphasizes extension, control, and the transition through temps lié. By focusing on the lengthening of the body and maintaining long hips, you will learn how to create the beautiful lines that characterize professional ballet.

Moving into the center, the focus shifts to dynamic movements like bourrées. Many dancers struggle with the fluidity of traveling steps, but this lesson clarifies the mechanics of weight transfer. You will learn the importance of driving with weight on the back leg and how to maintain balance by feeling pressure through the back toe. We emphasize that bourrées are a continuous weight transfer; to achieve that ethereal, floating quality, you must never remain stationary on both feet.

Throughout the class, our Broche Ballet instructor provides detailed technical cues to help you feel the shift from one foot to another. From mastering the attitude plié to refining your su-su, this class builds the confidence necessary to move gracefully across the floor. By the end of this session, you will have a deeper understanding of how to use your pointe shoes as an extension of your body, ensuring every step is executed with precision and poise.