What You'll Learn
- How to roll through demi-pointe for fluid and natural movement
- High-repetition ankle and foot strengthening exercises
- Proper alignment for pas de cheval, piqué, and passé
- Techniques for maintaining upper-body calm during complex footwork
- Using port de bras and promenade to enhance balance and expression
About This Video
Elevate your practice with Broche Ballet’s Pointe Basics session, a class meticulously designed to bridge the gap between simple exercises and the stamina required for performance. In this session, we focus on high-repetition movements that specifically target the intrinsic muscles of the feet and the stabilizing muscles of the ankles. Whether you are relatively new to pointe work or an experienced dancer looking to refine your foundations, these exercises provide the groundwork for a more secure and fluid presence en pointe.
The lesson begins with a strong emphasis on posture and alignment, ensuring that the hips and shoulders remain square and supported by a strong core. From there, we dive into the mechanics of bending the shoe. Many dancers struggle with a mechanical or stiff look when stepping; our instructor demonstrates how to utilize the demi-pointe position to achieve a natural, walking motion that looks elegant and effortless.
You will practice rolling down through the foot with control, avoiding the common mistake of dropping off the shoe. As we move through the repertoire, you will engage in specific patterns involving pas de cheval, piqué, and passé. The instructor highlights the importance of keeping the toes pushing and the knee joint bending simultaneously to maintain the correct line.
We also incorporate port de bras and promenade to challenge your balance and coordination while maintaining a calm upper body. By integrating these elements, you learn to move with expression without sacrificing the technical precision required for pointe work. Key takeaways from this class include mastering the transition from heel-to-calf in passé and maintaining a constant turnout during bourrée and chassé movements.
By the end of this session, you will have a deeper understanding of how to manage tension, especially in the shoulders and neck, allowing your footwork to remain the focus. Join us at Broche Ballet to build the strength, stamina, and grace necessary to excel en pointe.
