What You'll Learn
- Master the 'mountain climbing' visualization to initiate powerful, controlled pirouettes.
- Identify your turning axis by properly aligning the shoulder blade and relevé placement.
- Refine transitions in center combinations involving tombé and pas de bourrée.
- Improve balance and stability in relevé en quatrième for more consistent turns.
- Develop greater axis awareness through specific visualizations and physical cues.
About This Video
Elevate your center work with this comprehensive Advanced Ballet Center class at Broche Ballet. This session is meticulously designed for dancers looking to refine their technical execution through a deep dive into axis awareness and rotation mechanics. We move beyond simple sequences to explore the physical sensations required for professional-level execution, starting with a foundational review of demi-plié, plié, and passé to prime the body for complex movements.
The heart of this lesson focuses on the science of the pirouette. Our instructor introduces the 'mountain climbing' visualization to help students master the initiation of a turn. By feeling the standing leg push forward and upward, you create the lift necessary for a successful rotation. We also explore the critical role of the shoulder blade in finding your center. By imagining a string drawing the shoulder blade down, you can anchor your axis, ensuring that your weight remains perfectly balanced over your supporting foot.
Throughout the class, you will practice combinations featuring tombé, pas de bourrée, and relevé en quatrième. These exercises are specifically tailored to help you understand where your shoulders should be positioned relative to your axis. The instructor provides detailed corrections on turnout and alignment in every position, from a stable sous-sous to an extended arabesque. By focusing on the length of the foot as the determinant for your axis, you will gain a more intuitive understanding of your body's placement in space.
The session concludes with a graceful port de bras exercise, allowing you to blend these technical refinements with artistic expression. This holistic approach ensures that while you are building a stronger technical foundation, you never lose the fluidity and grace that defines ballet. Join Broche Ballet and transform your center practice with these expert insights into turning and balance.
