What You'll Learn
- How to execute slow, controlled relevés to eliminate ankle wobbling and improve stability.
- Techniques for stretching the arches and calves to enhance foot flexibility and plié depth.
- The proper coordination for shifting weight from two legs to one leg while rising.
- Strategies for moving through 'sticky' segments of a relevé to achieve a smoother foot line.
- Correct upper-body alignment and shoulder placement during footwork exercises.
About This Video
The journey toward dancing en pointe begins with a foundation of stability, strength, and range of motion. In this 14-minute pre-pointe class with Broche Ballet, we focus on the essential standing exercises designed to prepare your feet and ankles for the demands of classical ballet. This session is specifically tailored to help dancers navigate the 'sticky parts' of their movement, moving away from snapping or popping and toward a fluid, controlled articulation of the foot.
Throughout the class, we explore a series of relevés and demi-pliés that challenge your coordination. A key focus is the transition from two legs to one during a relevé, a crucial skill for maintaining balance during more advanced center work. We emphasize the importance of slow, intentional movements to correct wobbly ankles and ensure that your weight is distributed correctly over the toes. By pressing the feet firmly into the floor and stretching all the way through the arches, you will begin to develop the muscular 'wrap' required for secure ankle placement.
Beyond strength, this class incorporates targeted stretches to increase flexibility in the calves and ankles. You will learn how to gently move side-to-side within a stretch to access deeper muscle fibers, improving your overall plié depth and foot line. We also integrate dégagés and coordination drills to ensure that your strength is functional and ready for the dance floor. Whether you are an aspiring pointe student or an adult dancer looking to improve your stability and arch aesthetic, these exercises provide the technical building blocks necessary for progress. Focus on keeping your shoulders back and your core engaged as you move through these fundamental patterns, ensuring every movement is executed with the grace and precision that ballet requires.
