(There is nothing better than kicking off my first blog of the 2017/2018 dance season with a cheesy little ballet pun.)
So, welcome back to dance! I love getting questions from dancers on how they can improve their technique and it just so happens that I received a text this week from a gorgeous dancer who is attending college as a dance major asking about how to improve her relevé, more specifically, her demi-pointe. As I was replying I realized that so much goes into a great relevé/demi-pointe and we use it so much I should share this info with my loyal blog readers (Hi, mom).
Relevé literally means "raised up". It is when we rise up to our highest demo-pointe from flat feet. So, the truth about your relevé is that you have to have a high demi-pointe and the truth about your demi-pointe is that you have to have strong feet and arches in order to find the highest demi-pointe possible. To get a good demi-pointe you must do exercises to strengthen your feet.
I have attached a YouTube video with a few foot strengthening exercises for you to try. The exercises are specific to strengthening your arch and improving arch flexibility. Foot articulation is key in all of the exercises. Being able to press through your metatarsal (the big, fancy word for ball of the foot) is what will help develop the foot muscles you need.
Outside of foot strength, there a couple more things to consider when trying to get that high demi-pointe. 1. Make sure your toes are relaxed when you go into demi-pointe. Sometimes we grip our toes and that will shorten your arches. 2. Exercises for your calves are also important for pressing through the floor. 3. Don't ever HOP onto demi-pointe, Always push down into the floor with the ball of your foot to lift your heel as high as possible.
Be sure to watch the video and keep the questions coming.
Take Care of YOU, dancers,
Liz (@lizbdance)