What You'll Learn
- How to maintain a straight ankle and avoid 'sickling' when pointing your toes.
- Techniques to keep the heel forward during cou-de-pied and retiré positions.
- Exercises to improve proprioception and awareness of proper foot alignment.
- Methods for self-correcting your form and avoiding common technique mistakes.
- Strengthening movements to achieve a higher, more stable demi-pointe.
About This Video
The journey to dancing en pointe is one of the most exciting milestones for any ballet dancer. At Broche Ballet, we believe that a strong foundation is key to a safe and successful transition to pointe shoes. This pre-pointe class focuses specifically on the intricate mechanics of the foot and ankle, helping you develop the strength and awareness necessary for a higher demi-pointe and eventual pointe work.
Throughout this session, we dive deep into proper alignment, specifically focusing on the relationship between the heel and the toes during flexion and extension. One of the most common challenges dancers face is 'sickling'—the inward collapse of the foot. Our instructor demonstrates how to fight the natural tendency of the foot to pull in when pointing the big toe.
You will learn how to maintain a straight ankle line, ensuring that your weight is distributed correctly through the foot for maximum stability. We explore essential positions such as cou-de-pied, passé, and retiré. A major focus is placed on keeping the heel forward as the foot moves up the leg, rather than allowing it to pull back toward the Achilles.
By maintaining this forward placement, you build the correct muscular habits needed for stability and turnout. The class includes exercises to help you distinguish between correct and incorrect positions. ' We also cover how these principles apply to your plié and movements through demi-pointe.
This class is designed to be accessible yet challenging, providing you with the tools to check your own form by looking down at your feet and self-correcting. Whether you are a beginner just starting your journey or an intermediate dancer looking to refine your technique, these foot-strengthening exercises are a vital part of your training regimen. Join us at Broche Ballet as we work toward stronger, more articulate feet together.
