2 Hands on Barre Technique: Achieving Square Hips & Functional Turnout

Welcome to a meditative and detailed exploration of foundational ballet mechanics. In this Technique Deep Dive session at Broche Ballet, we step away from fast-paced combinations to focus on the essential principle of square hips. Maintaining a square pelvis is the cornerstone of proper alignment, ensuring that your turnout is functional and your movements are anatomically sound. By practicing with two hands on the barre, you can isolate the lower body and focus entirely on the placement of the hips during complex movements.

Throughout this 15-minute practice, we explore how to keep the hips facing forward during essential exercises like tendu, dégagé, and rond de jambe. Many dancers inadvertently let their hips 'open' or twist as the leg moves to the side or back; this class provides the tools to correct that habit. We emphasize the vertical alignment of the body, ensuring the center of the ears and the center of the shoulders remain stacked directly over the center of the hips. This verticality is vital for achieving stability in demi-pointe and finding depth in your plié.

Beyond simple static positions, we examine how hip squareness facilitates better transitions through space. Understanding the trajectory of your weight is key for more dynamic steps such as glissade and assemblée. When the hips remain square, you create a safe and powerful path for jumping and balancing. We will also discuss how to use momentum from the standing leg to maintain stability while the working leg moves, allowing for more fluid and controlled dancing. This slow, methodical approach is perfect for dancers who want to internalize the 'why' behind the movement, leading to a more polished and professional technique.