What You'll Learn
- How to achieve correct ankle alignment and avoid sickling during footwork
- Techniques for articulating through demi-pointe and full pointe shapes
- Strengthening the push-off mechanism for temps lié and jumping transitions
- Improving balance and control during plié and relevé exercises
- Tips for building the necessary strength and stability for future pointe work
About This Video
In this 11-minute standing pre-pointe practice, Broche Ballet guides you through the essential mechanics of the foot and ankle. Whether you are aspiring to dance en pointe or simply want to improve your stability and line, these exercises are designed to build functional strength and correct alignment. This session is specifically tailored to address the nuances of foot articulation that often get overlooked in a fast-paced class.
The class begins by addressing the fundamental importance of ankle placement. You will learn how to maintain a heel forward position during a tendu, ensuring that your ankle remains stable and your leg remains turned out from the hip. Avoiding a sickle—where the foot turns inward and compromises the ankle integrity—is crucial for both aesthetic beauty and injury prevention.
The instructor provides specific cues to help you feel the engagement of the intrinsic muscles of the feet, which are vital for achieving a high and secure demi-pointe. As the session progresses, we dive deeper into foot articulation through demi-pointe and full pointe shapes. You will explore how the foot transitions between these stages, learning to push through the floor with intentional control.
This technique is especially important for movements like temps lié and various jumps, where the power comes from a strong, articulated push-off through the ball of the foot. Understanding this rolling action of the foot is the key to fluidity in your dancing. We also incorporate plié and relevé movements to challenge your balance and eccentric control.
By focusing on making your way down slowly from a relevé, you develop the necessary strength for landing jumps safely and gracefully. This class emphasizes that correct placement is more valuable than the height of your heel; by prioritizing alignment now, you build the required foundation for successful pointe work in the future. Designed for dancers of all backgrounds, this practice is a perfect addition to your daily routine.
Join Broche Ballet to refine your technique and achieve a more powerful form.
