What You'll Learn
- Proper technique for plié en pointe and controlled weight changes at the barre.
- Developing the strength and 'push-off' power needed for future hops en pointe.
- The technical relationship between tombé and piqué for better coordination.
- Mastering relevé passé and sus-sous combinations with proper alignment.
- Enhancing your port de bras and coordination during barre sequences.
About This Video
Welcome to Broche Ballet’s comprehensive 30-minute guide to mastering the fundamentals of pointe work. This "Pointe Basics Barre" session is specifically designed to bridge the gap between beginner and intermediate levels, focusing on the essential strength and control required for more advanced maneuvers like hops and complex weight shifts. In this class, we dive deep into the mechanics of the plié en pointe.
Understanding how to use your floor pressure effectively is the absolute key to finding stability when dancing on your toes. Our instructor guides you through a series of foundational exercises at the barre, including tendu, relevé, and sus-sous. These movements are not just about the feet; they are about building a solid core and finding your center through proper alignment.
One of the highlights of this session is our dedicated focus on building the necessary power for hops en pointe. By practicing specific weight-change exercises and sus-sous to passé transitions, you will develop the "push-off" sensation required to eventually leave the floor with confidence. We emphasize the push off the ground without letting the front foot land early to catch you, ensuring you are using your muscles rather than momentum.
We also explore the relationship between tombé and piqué. Learning that tombé is essentially the inverse of piqué helps dancers visualize the movement path more clearly. We focus on the technical nuance of tombé, where the goal is to "fall up" and over the shoe to reach the ground safely, rather than rolling down on the standing leg.
Throughout the class, we incorporate classic ballet terminology and sequences, such as fondu, chassé, and port de bras, to ensure a well-rounded practice. We encourage students to take calculated risks—like momentarily testing their balance by letting go of the barre—within a safe and structured environment. Join us at Broche Ballet to refine your technique and build strength.
