What You'll Learn
- How to maintain proper ankle alignment and foot placement during standing exercises.
- Dynamic relevé and plié combinations to build leg stamina and control.
- Targeted tendu and calf stretches to improve foot flexibility and alleviate tension.
- Techniques for smooth transitions and core engagement during rising and lowering movements.
About This Video
Building a solid foundation for pointe work requires more than just wearing the shoes; it starts with intentional, focused training on the floor and at the barre. In this Broche Ballet class, we dive deep into standing pre-pointe exercises designed to enhance your stamina, increase foot strength, and refine your overall technique. Whether you are preparing for your first pair of pointe shoes or looking to strengthen your ankles for better stability in flat shoes, this 11-minute session provides the targeted drills you need to succeed.
The class begins with a focus on foundational alignment through repetitive demi-plié and stretching. You will learn how to rise and lower with absolute control, ensuring that your weight is properly distributed across the metatarsals. A key technical focus in this lesson involves checking the alignment of the second toes in parallel positions, which is crucial for preventing rolling or sickling and ensuring long-term ankle health.
We transition into challenging plié and relevé combinations that build endurance in the calves and improve overall balance. Throughout the session, our instructor emphasizes the importance of smooth transitions. Lowering from a relevé is just as important as the rise itself; controlling the descent engages the core and builds the specific eccentric muscle strength required for advanced footwork and landings.
We also incorporate tendu movements to specifically target the arch of the foot and the dexterity of the toes. To ensure your feet stay healthy and recovered, we include therapeutic movements like the snow plow stretch and heel tower exercises, which provide essential toe care and calf relief. By focusing on these intricate details, you build the 'beautiful feet' that are the hallmark of a trained dancer.
Our approach at Broche Ballet focuses on breaking down complex movements into manageable exercises that yield real results for students of all backgrounds. Join us to cultivate the strength, grace, and technical precision needed for functional, powerful ballet feet.
