What You'll Learn
- Mastering tendus in all directions without the support of the barre
- Coordinating fluid port de bras with footwork patterns
- Improving your pas de bourrée with a focus on quickness and control
- Developing proper body alignment and posture in various center positions
- Performing a graceful révérence to conclude your practice with elegance
About This Video
Stepping away from the barre is one of the most exciting yet challenging parts of a ballet class. In this 15-minute "Just the Center" session, Julie from Broche Ballet guides you through a focused practice designed to build stability, coordination, and grace. This class is specifically crafted for dancers of all levels, providing a bridge between stationary barre work and the flow of center combinations.
We begin with a deep dive into tendus of all varieties. Executing a tendu in the center requires significantly more core engagement than at the barre, as you no longer have a physical support to lean on. You will practice tendus in various directions, focusing on the articulation of the foot and the clarity of your lines.
Julie emphasizes the importance of weight transfer and maintaining a strong standing leg to ensure every movement is precise and controlled. Beyond footwork, this class explores the coordination of port de bras. Learning to move your arms fluidly while your legs perform sharp movements like the pas de bourrée is a hallmark of an advanced dancer.
We discuss the timing of the arms, ensuring that your port de bras supports your balance rather than hindering it. You will also work on body alignment in positions like croisé front, where keeping the shoulders square and the arms properly placed is key to a professional look. To conclude this practice, Julie leads a traditional révérence.
This final bow or curtsy is more than just a polite ending; it is a moment to practice elegance, breath, and gratitude for your body's capabilities. Whether you are a beginner looking to build a foundation or an intermediate student refining your technique, this focused center practice offers the repetitions and corrections needed to elevate your dancing.
