What You'll Learn
- Why you should avoid using the upper back to push forward en pointe
- How to generate forward pressure and power from within the hips
- Identifying the physical sensations of being behind or too far over the box
- Using the shoulder blades to stabilize and balance forward momentum
About This Video
Many dancers struggle with the sensation of being stuck behind their box or, conversely, feeling like they are falling too far over it. In this quick tutorial from Broche Ballet, we dive into the mechanics of hip placement and how it influences your ability to find your center while en pointe. Instead of relying on the upper back or gravity to force your weight forward, you will learn to generate power directly from the hips.
When you attempt to get over the box by pushing with your upper back, you often lose the integrity of your vertical alignment. This force can lead to a lack of control and a feeling of instability. By shifting the focus to the hips, you can create a consistent forward pressure that keeps you securely on the platform of your pointe shoes.
This internal power is much more sustainable and allows for smoother transitions during relevé and other pointe work exercises at the barre. Body awareness is key to mastering this adjustment. You will learn to recognize the sensation of pulling yourself back when you are behind the box, as well as the feeling of instability when you are too far forward.
To counteract being too far over, you will learn to engage your shoulder blades to provide a subtle backward force, balancing the forward energy of the hips. This creates a stable sandwich of force that keeps you perfectly centered. Practice these sensations to build the muscle memory needed for effortless, beautiful pointe work.
