What You'll Learn
- Specific exercises to increase ankle mobility and wing range.
- Techniques to properly get over the box en pointe without sickling.
- How to stretch the front of the ankle joint while maintaining stability.
- The importance of combining strengthening with stretching for injury prevention.
- Correct foot articulation to improve your overall line and profile.
About This Video
Mastering the art of dancing en pointe requires more than just foot strength; it demands exceptional ankle mobility and a deep range of motion. In this specialized 10-minute session with Broche Ballet, instructor Julie guides you through targeted ballet pointe stretches designed to help you get over the box with confidence and grace. This routine is specifically tailored for dancers who feel restricted by their footwear or struggle to reach the full vertical alignment necessary for stable pointe work.
The focus of this tutorial is the often-overlooked "wing range" and the front of the ankle joint. Many dancers struggle with feeling "stuck" behind their shoes, which can lead to improper alignment and strain. By incorporating specific exercises like the wide-set relevé, you can begin to open up the ligaments and tendons in the front of the foot safely. Julie demonstrates how to pull the ankles together and back while maintaining proper turnout and rotation, ensuring that your weight-bearing articulation is both safe and effective.
A key component of this practice is learning the difference between simply tipping the ankle and truly lengthening the foot. You will explore how to stretch forward with a fully pointed foot while keeping the heel forward, a technique essential for avoiding sickling and achieving that beautiful line synonymous with professional ballet. The routine emphasizes the importance of moving through every position with control, from the initial plié to the final descent from relevé.
Stretching alone is rarely enough for a dancer. To maintain the new range of motion you’ve gained, this class concludes with a brief but vital strengthening segment. Engaging the muscles around the ankle immediately after stretching helps "set" the new flexibility, providing the stability needed for complex pointe work. Whether you are working on your first pair of shoes or looking to refine your professional line, these exercises offer the mechanical corrections needed to improve your en pointe profile. Consistency is key in ballet, and this quick routine is the perfect addition to your daily barre or pre-class warm-up.
