What You'll Learn
- Techniques for proper foot shaping and winging to ensure stability en pointe.
- The essential differences in ankle alignment between soft slippers and pointe shoes.
- Strength-building exercises including plié, tendu, dégagé, and press-overs.
- How to engage the shin muscles and ankles for better control and balance.
About This Video
Welcome to Broche Ballet’s Pointe Basics Barre, a comprehensive 27-minute practice session designed specifically to bridge the gap between beginner and intermediate pointework. Transitioning from soft shoes to pointe shoes is a monumental step in any dancer's journey, requiring not just physical strength, but a nuanced understanding of alignment and foot shaping. This class focuses on the fundamental mechanics of dancing en pointe, ensuring you build a solid foundation that prevents injury and promotes graceful movement.
In this session, we dive deep into the technical differences between alignment in soft slippers versus pointe shoes. Unlike soft shoes where a perfectly straight ankle is the goal, dancing en pointe often requires a subtle winged shape to properly center the body's weight between the big toe and the second toe. This specific shaping is crucial for maintaining balance and control while on the platform. Our instructor guides you through a series of classic barre exercises, including plié, tendu, and dégagé, all tailored to the unique demands of the blocked shoe.
Key technical highlights include press-over movements and ankle stretching exercises designed to engage the shin muscles and improve articulation. You will learn how to properly brush the foot through the floor and find the correct flick at the end of a tendu. Throughout the class, the focus remains on proper foot shaping from the front view, helping you avoid the common pitfall of sickling. By practicing these repetitive, controlled movements, you will develop the coordination and confidence necessary to move beyond basic exercises. Whether you are just starting your pointe training or looking to refine your technique, this Broche Ballet class provides the professional feedback and corrections needed to excel. Join us at the barre to strengthen your ankles, improve your line, and feel more secure in your pointe shoes.
