What You'll Learn
- Master core stability and alignment using PBT bridging techniques on the ball
- Identify and activate deep muscle groups including the low abs and glutes
- Maintain level and lifted hips during movement transitions to passé and retiré
- Improve body awareness through breathwork and active muscle engagement cues
About This Video
Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) is an innovative program designed to help dancers understand the depth of muscle memory required for classical ballet. In this 10-minute warmup class from Broche Ballet, we dive into the foundational elements of core stability through PBT bridging exercises. This session is specifically crafted to help you find your center and engage the correct muscle groups before you even step to the barre.
Throughout the class, we focus on the importance of body awareness. You will begin with a thorough body scan, learning to breathe into the back and feel the pressure in the lower abdominals. This tactile feedback is essential for establishing the low belly engagement needed for advanced movements.
We utilize a large exercise ball to perform bridges, starting with a su su position. This elevation adds a layer of instability that forces the deep stabilizers of the core and hips to activate. One of the key focuses of this session is the wrapping of the glutes and the squeezing of the inner thighs.
By mastering these muscle engagement cues, you will build the stability necessary for complex ballet vocabulary. We also explore lifting to passé or retiré while maintaining level hips. Using gravity to open the knees while keeping the hips lifted is a challenge that translates directly to better turnout and balance during center work.
In addition to core work, we pay close attention to the extremities. You will practice stretching and lengthening the toes, reaching the pinkies toward the ball to ensure a fully engaged line from the hip to the foot. This attention to detail ensures that your warmup is not just a physical exercise, but a mental preparation for the precision of ballet.
Whether you are preparing for a full class or looking for a quick conditioning session, these PBT principles will enhance your control and fluidity. Join us at Broche Ballet to refine your technique and build a stronger, more resilient dancer's body.
