What You'll Learn
- How to use a 'push and fall' exercise to test your vertical alignment en pointe.
- The importance of landing in the exact same spot to verify correct weight placement.
- Why focusing on the path of the movement is more beneficial than just holding a relevé.
- How to identify and correct a 'wobble' during the descent from pointe.
About This Video
Mastering the transition from the flat of the foot to dancing en pointe is one of the most technical milestones in a dancer's journey. At Broche Ballet, we focus on the subtle mechanics that build a foundation for strength and grace. In this Quick Tip video, we explore a unique visualization and exercise: getting up en pointe like a bouncing ball. This approach shifts the focus from the duration of the hold to the integrity of the vertical path.
Often, dancers become preoccupied with how long they can sustain a relevé. While stamina is essential, focusing solely on 'staying up' can sometimes mask fundamental alignment flaws. If you are constantly fighting to maintain your balance, you may be compensating for a lack of verticality by gripping with your toes or introducing tension in the upper body. The 'push and fall' method described here removes the pressure of the hold and focuses entirely on the accuracy of the rise.
By imagining yourself as a ball, you focus on pushing straight up into your pointe shoes and allowing yourself to immediately descend. This creates an immediate feedback loop for your alignment. If your weight is perfectly centered over the platform of the shoe, you will land in the exact same spot where you began. However, if you land with a wobble or find yourself shifting forward or backward upon descent, it is a clear indicator that your center of gravity was misaligned.
This exercise is an invaluable tool for intermediate and advanced students looking to refine their center work. By ensuring that your vertical path is true, you will find that sustaining positions and executing turns becomes significantly easier. Consistency in your rise and fall is the secret to successful pointe work, ensuring you are always over your box and ready for the next movement. Join us at Broche Ballet as we break down these essential details to help you dance with more confidence and precision.
