What You'll Learn
- How to use your toes as an accelerator to push off the floor effectively.
- Techniques for maintaining arch stability during weight shifts and jumps.
- Strengthening exercises for the intrinsic muscles to achieve handsy feet.
- Essential counter stretch movements to improve ankle range and flexibility.
- How to integrate toe engagement into dégagé and pirouette preparations.
About This Video
Building strong, articulate feet is a cornerstone of classical technique. This Broche Ballet pre-pointe session focuses on developing powerful toes to enhance your stability and power in every movement. Whether your goal is to eventually dance en pointe or simply to improve your footwork in flat shoes, these exercises target the intrinsic muscles of the feet and the range of motion in the ankles.
Instructor Julie leads you through a series of exercises designed to isolate and engage the toes. We begin with the concept of the accelerator action, emphasizing that the push off the floor should come from the toes rather than the heel or upper leg. This specific engagement is crucial for movements like dégagé, sauté, and pirouette.
By treating the toes as a primary source of propulsion, you create a more dynamic and secure connection to the floor. Throughout the class, we utilize props like a ball or pillow to provide resistance and support. This tactile feedback helps you maintain arch stability while applying pressure.
You will learn to push through the floor with intensity, building what we call handsy feet—highly responsive and strong feet that can grip and release the floor with precision. We also cover the importance of keeping weight over the supporting leg and ensuring the heel pushes through the arch when lifting. To balance the strengthening work, we include essential counter stretch exercises.
Stretching the top of the foot and the front of the ankle helps maintain flexibility and prevents cramping. Proper demi-pointe work is not just about the toes; it requires a coordinated effort between the core, legs, and the arches of the feet. Join us at Broche Ballet to refine your technique and build the foundational strength necessary for advanced ballet practice.
