What You'll Learn
- How to manage weight distribution to control the back corner of the pointe shoe box.
- Correct alignment for plié and relevé to maintain stability and prevent injury.
- Techniques for a smooth, controlled roll-down from pointe to the floor.
- Executing combinations involving échappé, sous-sus, and pas de bourrée with precision.
- Building ankle strength through repetitive, focused barre exercises.
About This Video
Welcome to Broche Ballet's specialized focus on foundational pointe work. Transitioning from soft shoes to pointe shoes is a monumental step in a dancer's journey, and mastering the basics is essential for both safety and artistry. In this 18-minute session, we dive deep into one of the most challenging aspects of pointe technique: the controlled descent. Many dancers struggle with falling off their pointe shoes rather than rolling down through the feet. This class emphasizes the detailed control required to lower down from a relevé with grace. By focusing on the back corner of the box, you will learn how to resist gravity, ensuring your movement is fluid and professional. We explore how weight distribution affects your ability to control this descent, particularly when shifting weight onto a single leg. The more weight you place on a single limb, the more muscle engagement is required to manage the descent.
Throughout the barre work, we utilize essential ballet terminology and exercises designed to strengthen the feet. You will practice repetitive plié and relevé sequences to build muscle memory in the ankles and calves. We also integrate the pas de bourrée, focusing on the rhythm that provides the foundation for center work later on. A key highlight of the class is a more complex combination involving four échappés, two sous-sus, and a passé change. This sequence challenges your coordination and forces you to maintain proper alignment even as the complexity increases. The instructor provides specific technical corrections regarding your arches and heels. For instance, you will learn why pushing the arch out too far can actually hinder your stability, and why keeping the heel pushed forward toward the ceiling during a demi-plié is non-negotiable for proper pointe technique. By focusing on the edge of the shoe and maintaining a vertical alignment, you can prevent common injuries and develop the line that ballet is known for. Whether you are a beginner just starting your pointe journey or an intermediate dancer looking to clean up your transitions, this class offers the technical depth needed to excel. Join us at Broche Ballet as we refine your pointe basics and build the confidence to move into more advanced choreography.
