What You'll Learn
- Master the lateral hip strength required for crisp, controlled échappé movements.
- Improve balance in passé by learning to push through both legs simultaneously.
- Develop a stronger arabesque line by engaging the posterior chain through the hip.
- Enhance ankle stability and core control specifically for dancing en pointe.
- Understand the role of the inner thighs in maintaining turnout during barre exercises.
About This Video
Welcome to Broche Ballet's Pointe Basics Barre, a specialized class designed to help adult dancers build the foundational strength and technical precision required for dancing en pointe. Transitioning to pointe work is a significant milestone, and this session focuses on the critical basics that allow you to move from a beginner level toward intermediate mastery with confidence. Our focus begins at the barre, where we break down essential movements like the tendu and plié.
Unlike dancing in flat shoes, pointe work demands a heightened level of awareness regarding ankle stability and core engagement. Throughout the class, we emphasize the power of the outer hips. For example, when performing an échappé, we focus on the lateral strength needed to pull the legs apart and the control required to snap them back together.
This lateral engagement is key to maintaining proper alignment and turnout while supporting your weight on the tips of your toes. We also explore the mechanics of the passé. A common pitfall for many dancers is sinking into the standing leg.
In this class, you will learn to push straight up through both legs, creating a sense of lift and lightness. This technique is essential for maintaining balance and preventing injury. Additionally, we address the arabesque, teaching you how to work the muscles behind the hip to create a beautiful, supported line from a strong tendu position.
By focusing on these specific muscle groups—the inner thighs, the ankles, and the deep core—you will develop the physical vocabulary needed for more complex pointe work. This class is not just about the feet; it is about full-body coordination. Finally, the session concludes with simple center combinations that challenge your newfound stability away from the barre.
Whether you are recently cleared for pointe or are an experienced dancer looking to clean up your fundamentals, this class offers the tools you need to succeed at Broche Ballet.
