What You'll Learn
- How to maintain a long, supported spine in arabesque and attitude positions to prevent lower back tension.
- The mechanics of executing pirouettes en dedans and en dehors while using the barre for balance and control.
- Integrated core engagement strategies for improving stability during grand plié and grand battement exercises.
- Essential post-class stretching and conditioning techniques to promote muscle recovery and flexibility.
About This Video
Join Julie for a comprehensive 1-hour All-Level Ballet Barre class that seamlessly integrates conditioning and stretching into your classical practice. This session is perfect for dancers at Broche Ballet looking to refine their technical foundation while building the necessary strength for more advanced movements. Throughout the class, Julie emphasizes the importance of a long spine and active core engagement to ensure every movement is executed with both power and grace.
The class begins with foundational barre exercises, including grand plié and precise footwork. You will explore how to find length in your arabesque and attitude positions, specifically learning how to avoid that common 'crunchy' feeling in the lower back by lifting out of the hips and lengthening through the crown of the head. Julie provides detailed guidance on mechanics, such as the proper execution of a pas de bourrée and the importance of a clean passé for turn preparation.
A significant portion of the class is dedicated to pirouettes. You will practice turns both en dehors and en dedans at the barre, focusing on the essential concept of pushing down into the floor to find your vertical axis. Understanding the direction of your turn—whether moving toward or away from the barre—is key to developing consistent balance and control.
To finish, the session incorporates a grand battement combination that serves as an excellent way to use your full range of motion while maintaining the integrity of your posture. Sprinkled throughout the hour are moments for stretch and relaxation, allowing your muscles to recover and your mind to reconnect with your body's alignment. These gentle stretches are recommended to relax the muscles and promote recovery after the intense work.
Whether you are a beginner looking to understand basic shapes or an intermediate dancer refining your turnout and allongée movements, this practice offers valuable insights into the mechanics of ballet technique.
