What You'll Learn
- Techniques for stabilizing balance en pointe with only one hand on the barre
- How to execute piqué and tombé movements with precision and control
- Strategies to eliminate shoulder panic by maintaining relaxed arm positions
- The mechanics of shifting weight through coupé and pas de bourrée
- Building the core strength required for future center-floor work
About This Video
Transitioning from the security of two hands on the barre to the independence of center work is one of the most challenging milestones in a dancer’s pointe journey. This 29-minute Pointe Basics session at Broche Ballet focuses on bridging that gap by introducing exercises with only one hand on the barre. By reducing your reliance on the physical support of the barre, you will begin to find your true center of gravity and develop the core strength necessary for intermediate pointe work.
The class begins with essential barre exercises, focusing on maintaining proper alignment and posture while shifting weight. You will learn how to get up en pointe without using your upper body to pull or push on the barre, ensuring your legs and core are doing the heavy lifting. A key focus of this practice is managing shoulder panic—that common tendency to tense the upper body when stability feels threatened.
By exploring arm positions like demi-seconde and full seconde, you will find a relaxed and functional carriage that supports your balance. Instruction includes a detailed breakdown of fundamental movements like the piqué and tombé. You will learn the mechanics of the piqué—a sharp, precise step directly onto a straight leg—and how to coordinate it with a tombé movement.
The instructor provides specific cues on leg placement, emphasizing a straight back leg and a controlled plié in the front leg to ensure safety and grace. Furthermore, this class dives into the pas de bourrée and coupé, teaching you how to lift over the back leg rather than just lifting up. This distinction is vital for moving fluidly across the floor.
Whether you are struggling with coordination or looking to refine your technique, this session offers the feedback and guidance needed to move from beginner levels toward more advanced center-floor combinations. Join us at Broche Ballet to build the strength and confidence required to dance beautifully en pointe, both at and away from the barre.
