What You'll Learn
- Techniques to maintain consistent turnout during complex transitions.
- How to execute stable piqué and sous-sous movements en pointe.
- Finding balance and core engagement through adagio exercises.
- Strength-building drills for the feet, hips, and legs.
- Modifications for two-handed barre support to ensure proper alignment.
About This Video
Taking your first steps en pointe is an exciting milestone, but refining that technique requires dedication and precision. In this 31-minute Pointe Basics Barre class from Broche Ballet, you will focus on the fundamental mechanics that turn a simple rise into a graceful movement. The class is structured to help dancers bridge the gap between beginner and intermediate levels by emphasizing strength, control, and proper turnout.
The session starts with essential barre work, including pliés and temps lié, designed to warm up the ankles and establish a connection with the floor. As you move into more complex sequences like adagio and piqué, the instructor provides specific cues to help you maintain your turnout throughout every transition. You will learn the critical importance of knee placement—ensuring the knee stays over the foot in the back position and vice versa—to prevent injury and maximize stability.
One of the primary focuses of this tutorial is the piqué movement. The instructor breaks down the mechanics, reminding students to keep the heel forward and the knee back to engage the correct muscles. This attention to detail not only improves the aesthetic of your dancing but also builds the necessary strength in the hips and legs to support your weight en pointe.
Balance is another key component of this practice. You will be challenged to find your center during sous-sous and one-legged balances, all while maintaining a calm breath and an engaged core. For those still building their confidence, the class offers modifications for practicing with two hands on the barre.
This allows you to prioritize alignment and correct muscle memory before moving to a single hand. By consistently practicing these barre basics with Broche Ballet, you will gain the technical foundation and confidence needed to move away from the barre and perform with greater freedom and poise.
