What You'll Learn
- How to maintain a tall, lifted posture even during challenging extensions and grand battement.
- The secret to expressive, relaxed hands that convey ease rather than tension during barre work.
- Refining fondu and développé movements by initiating the arm from the upper arm.
- Proper alignment in attitude to ensure the knee stays to the side while maintaining height.
- Techniques for pushing into the floor to engage the core and find better balance.
About This Video
Join Julie for a comprehensive all-level barre class designed to elevate your ballet technique and artistic expression. At Broche Ballet, we believe that foundational technique is the bridge to professional artistry. This 40-minute session focuses on the subtle details that make a dancer truly stand out, from the initial tendu to the powerful grand battement. You will be guided through a series of exercises that challenge both your physical strength and your mental focus, ensuring every movement is executed with precision and grace.
A key theme of this class is maintaining "tallness." Julie emphasizes the importance of being taller than your leg, ensuring that as your extensions increase in height, your torso remains lifted and supported. This approach not only improves your lines but also helps engage your core more effectively. We dive deep into the mechanics of the fondu, learning to initiate the arm movement from the upper arm rather than just the hand. This subtle shift creates a more fluid, professional look and prevents unnecessary tension in the extremities.
Speaking of tension, this class places a special focus on the expressiveness of the hands. You will learn how to keep your hands relaxed and graceful, showing how easy the movements are, even when the lower body is working intensely. We also explore the attitude position, focusing on keeping the knee to the side and maintaining a tall, upright position. Throughout the adagio and more dynamic movements, you will be encouraged to push down into the floor. This downward pressure is essential for finding your center and maintaining balance during complex combinations. Slow music provides a unique opportunity to peel the feet off the floor and work through every muscle, building the strength required for higher extensions and more controlled movements. Whether you are focusing on your quad engagement or your port de bras, this barre practice provides the essential tools needed to refine your ballet skills.
