What You'll Learn
- How to find your center of gravity and 'find up' during pointe transitions.
- Proper execution of pas de bourrée from tendu and tombé positions.
- Techniques for letting go of the barre without losing vertical alignment.
- Shoulder and hip placement for stable pickups en pointe.
- Advanced variations including dégagé en cloche sequences for foot strength.
About This Video
Transitioning from the stability of the barre to the independence of center work is one of the most challenging yet rewarding milestones in a dancer’s journey, particularly during pointe work. In this specialized class from Broche Ballet, we dive deep into the mechanics of the pas de bourrée, focusing specifically on how to maintain your 'up' while letting go of the barre. The pas de bourrée is more than just a transition step; it is a rigorous test of weight placement, precision, and vertical lift.
The lesson begins with foundational exercises at the barre to help you internalize the feeling of a proper tombé into the movement. You will learn to focus on the 'up, down, up' rhythm, ensuring that your weight is perfectly centered over the box of your pointe shoes. The instructor provides detailed cues on how to push through the floor, transitioning from a tendu or dégagé into a secure plié and back onto pointe.
One of the core themes of this class is finding your verticality. By focusing on pulling the shoulders back during pickups and engaging the hips to drive the body straight up, you can eliminate the wobbles that often occur when you first release your grip on the barre. We discuss how to find the new 'up' over the top of the foot immediately after a weight transition, which is essential for fluid, continuous movement en pointe.
To further challenge your technique, the class incorporates variations like dégagé en cloche and quicker pickups. These exercises are designed to build the fast-twitch muscle strength required for more advanced center combinations. By the end of this session, you will have a clearer understanding of how to use your internal alignment to stay balanced, allowing you to dance with a sense of freedom and grace away from the barre.
Join Broche Ballet as we refine your pointe technique and help you achieve that elusive sense of weightlessness.
