5-Minute Intensive Ballet Relevé Training and Leg Alignment

Welcome to Broche Ballet’s "Fast 5" series, where we maximize your training efficiency in just five minutes. This intensive session is dedicated to mastering the relevé, a fundamental movement that builds the essential strength required for everything from powerful jumps to delicate pointe work. By focusing on the mechanics of the rise and the control of the descent, dancers can significantly improve their stability and foot articulation.

In this class, we begin by focusing on parallel relevés. While much of ballet emphasizes turnout, working in parallel is a fantastic way to identify and activate the inner thighs. By maintaining a distance of about two fists between your feet and imagining a small tennis ball nestled between your ankles, you will learn to rise with precision. This squeezing action ensures your legs remain connected, preventing the heels from wavering and helping you point your feet directly toward the ceiling as you ascend. This internal connection is the secret to a professional line and improved balance.

We then progress into the complexities of the plié relevé. Here, the focus shifts to maintaining a consistent connection between the heel and the leg. Using the "clamshell" imagery—where the heel pushes forward while the knee pushes back—you will develop the mechanical control necessary for a stable demi-plié. Whether you are performing a single-leg or double-leg exercise at the barre, keeping your elbows down and your core engaged is key to finding your center. By the end of this five-minute intensive, you will have a better understanding of how to engage your muscles to prevent the knees from swiveling and ensure a smooth, controlled transition. This training is perfect as a warm-up or a standalone strength-building routine for any dedicated dancer.