What You'll Learn
- How to use pliés and tendus to properly warm up and shape the shank of your pointe shoes
- Technique drills for piqué sous-sous and smooth transitions into fondu
- Strategies for improving stability and alignment during échappé combinations
- The mechanics of the promenade to maintain balance and turnout during slow rotations
- Strength-building exercises for passés and relevés at the barre
About This Video
Transitioning from beginner to intermediate pointe work requires a solid foundation of strength, precision, and confidence. This 20-minute practice class at Broche Ballet focuses on the fundamental movements that bridge that gap, helping you move more fluidly from the barre to the center. The session begins with a targeted warm-up designed to prepare the feet for the unique demands of dancing en pointe. We focus on pliés and tendus to stretch the feet and properly shape the shank of your shoes, ensuring your alignment is correct from the very first step.
Throughout the class, we dive deep into essential footwork techniques. You will practice piqué and sous-sous combinations, learning how to execute a piqué to the cou-de-pied before transitioning smoothly into a fondu. These exercises are crucial for developing the ankle stability and control needed for more advanced center work. We also incorporate barre work featuring passés, coupés, and relevés to improve your overall flexibility and muscular endurance. The barre serves as a vital tool in this lesson, allowing you to focus on the nuances of your turnout and weight placement without the added pressure of full center balance.
As we progress, the class introduces combinations involving échappés and promenades. These movements are key milestones for intermediate dancers. You will learn how to maintain your core engagement and turnout as you 'escape' into second position and find your center of gravity during slow, controlled rotations. The instructor provides encouraging feedback and adjustments to help you refine your technique and execute every movement safely and correctly. By the end of this session, you will have a better understanding of how to use proper alignment and control to enhance your performance and build the physical fitness required for more complex ballet choreography.
