What You'll Learn
- Techniques to achieve a winged foot shape and stop sickling
- How to maintain heel and calf alignment during leg movements
- The art of spiraling the leg to maximize turnout and stability
- Seated exercises to build ankle strength for future en pointe work
- Proper foot rotation mechanics to ensure a clean ballet line
About This Video
Building a strong foundation for pointe work starts long before you put on your first pair of pointe shoes. This specialized seated pre-pointe class at Broche Ballet focuses on the intricate mechanics of the foot and ankle, specifically targeting the common issue of sickling. By moving the practice to the floor, we remove the challenge of balance, allowing you to focus entirely on the rotation of the ankle and the engagement of the calf muscles.
The primary goal of this session is to help you achieve a beautiful "winged" foot—a line where the foot extends outward rather than inward. You will begin with exercises designed to identify the "wing" shape, keeping your knees toward the ceiling while opening the feet away from each other. The instructor guides you through the process of spiraling the leg, ensuring that your heels remain high and your pinky toes stay down, creating a stable and aesthetically pleasing line.
A significant portion of the class is dedicated to alignment during movement. You will practice bending and stretching your legs while maintaining the lift in your calves and heels. These exercises are crucial for developing the necessary strength for relevé and future en pointe work.
We also introduce the butterfly movement, a challenging exercise that requires intense focus on working the heels and maintaining turnout. Throughout this practice, you'll learn why spiraling the leg before lifting is the key to maintaining control. We emphasize the importance of not letting the heels drop when straightening the legs, a habit that translates directly to better stability at the barre and in center work.
Whether you are a beginner preparing for your first pointe assessment or an experienced dancer looking to refine your line, this class provides the technical corrections and encouragement needed to transform your footwork and improve your overall ankle stability.
