What You'll Learn
- Why leaning on the barre is essential for beginner pointe work
- How to distribute up to 90% of your weight for safe relevés
- Techniques to avoid leaning forward and compromising alignment
- The typical timeline for transitioning from the barre to the center
About This Video
Starting your journey en pointe is an exciting milestone for any adult ballet dancer, but it comes with a steep learning curve and new physical sensations. " If you feel like you are gripping the barre for dear life during your first few weeks of pointe work, take a deep breath—it is completely normal and even encouraged. In the beginning stages of training en pointe, your ankles and feet are adapting to new pressures and the unique structure of the pointe shoes.
When performing exercises like relevés and sous-sous, the barre should actually be taking a significant portion of your body weight. In fact, it is perfectly acceptable for the barre to support up to 90% of your weight during those initial sessions. This allows you to focus on the mechanics of rising through the shoes and finding the correct placement on the box without the immediate risk of injury or loss of balance.
However, the way you lean matters. A common mistake is leaning forward or "cheating" the weight to get over the box. While this might make it feel easier to get en pointe, it compromises your alignment and makes it much harder to eventually move to the center.
Instead, use the barre to help maintain an upright, lifted posture. The goal is to use the barre as a temporary scaffolding for your technique. As you gain strength, your reliance on the barre will naturally decrease.
Typically, by week seven or eight of consistent training, you will find yourself needing less support and beginning the transition toward independent work. This video provides the guidance you need to navigate these early stages with confidence, ensuring you build a solid foundation for your ballet practice.
