What You'll Learn
- Articulate feet and metatarsals through controlled flex and point exercises
- Build ankle stability and strength with repeated relevés and sous-sous
- Improve balance and eccentric control during piqué passé descents
- Refine weight transitions using pas de bourrée and soutenu combinations
- Find your center with cambre and attitude movements
About This Video
Preparing your feet for the rigors of pointe work doesn't require an hour at the barre. At Broche Ballet, we understand that sometimes you need an efficient, focused routine to get your ankles ready and your mind centered. This quick 8-minute follow-along session is meticulously designed to target the metatarsals, improve ankle stability, and refine your overall technique en pointe. By condensing the essentials into a short format, we ensure that every second spent in your pointe shoes is productive, safe, and effective for your progression.
We begin the practice with essential articulation exercises. Starting in first position, you will work through demi-plié and controlled flex and point movements. These initial steps are crucial for warming up the intrinsic muscles of the feet and stretching the calves, ensuring you have the necessary range of motion for the exercises to come. As we move into repeated relevé and parallel prancing, the focus shifts to building strength and finding a secure, centered placement on the box of the shoe. Working in sous-sous allows you to feel the cross of the legs and the lift through the inner thighs, which is foundational for all advanced pointe work.
The middle of the sequence challenges your balance and core stability through more complex movements. You will practice piqué passé with an emphasis on the eccentric control required for a smooth descent. By focusing on the controlled lowering from piqué to a single leg, you build the specific ankle strength needed for more advanced variations and center work. We also incorporate pas de bourrée and piqué soutenu turns to help you navigate weight transitions with grace and precision, ensuring your footwork remains crisp and professional throughout your session.
To wrap up the session, we explore attitude and fondu. These exercises require a deep connection to your core and proper ankle alignment to maintain stability while performing a melting bend on one leg. We also include cambre stretches to integrate the upper body, helping you find your center and prepare for the fluid movements of a full ballet class. Whether you are prepping for a rehearsal or a daily practice, this 8-minute routine ensures your feet are awake and your body is perfectly aligned for success. Join Broche Ballet for this intensive yet accessible warm-up today.
