What You'll Learn
- Improve ankle mobility and isolation through focused flex and circle exercises.
- Master the technique of plié en pointe to enhance control and stability on the box.
- Refine transitions between piqué and sus-sous with a focus on vertical alignment.
- Strengthen the arches and metatarsals through controlled prancing and articulation.
About This Video
Finding the time to properly prepare your feet before a full class or variation rehearsal can be challenging. This quick 7-minute follow-along pointe warmup is meticulously designed to mobilize the ankles and wake up the intricate muscles of the feet. At Broche Ballet, we understand that a solid foundation en pointe starts with consistent, targeted articulation and a mindful approach to your technique.
The session begins with parallel work at the barre, focusing on foundational movements like demi-plié and tendu. These parallel exercises are essential for establishing correct hip-to-ankle alignment and warming up the tendons before increasing the load and transitioning to a turned-out position. From there, we move into prancing and isolated ankle circles.
These movements are specifically included to enhance joint mobility, ensuring your ankles are supple and ready for the dynamic demands of classical variations. A key component of this practice is the transition to working directly on the box. You will practice the specific technique of plié en pointe, focusing on the careful articulation of curving the foot toward the ground while maintaining a secure, vertical position on the box.
This specific exercise is vital for building the eccentric strength and control needed for smooth descents and advanced combinations. The progression then moves into more dynamic movements, including piqué, sus-sous, and soutenu. These exercises challenge your stability and precision, emphasizing the importance of pulling the ankles together and maintaining a strong vertical line during quick weight shifts.
We conclude with a series of battu and fondu exercises to further strengthen the metatarsals and arches. By focusing on rolling through the demi-pointe to the box, you will develop the refined footwork and articulation necessary for professional-level execution. This routine serves as an ideal bridge between your floor warmup and center work, helping you establish a deep mind-body connection with your pointe shoes.
