What You'll Learn
- How to identify and maintain your vertical axis for effortless turns
- Technical differences in power and timing between single and double pirouettes
- Strategies for sustained balance during challenging long adagio combinations
- Using the compass analogy to calibrate your body's orientation in space
- The etiquette and symbolic meaning behind the traditional ballet bow
About This Video
Welcome to an intensive session of Advanced Ballet Center work with Broche Ballet. This class is designed for the dedicated dancer who wants to delve deeper into the mechanics of balance and rotation. We begin with a challenging long adagio sequence, focusing on sustained control, fluid transitions, and finding your internal "up." This concept of "up" is your vertical lifeline, acting as the secret to maintaining stability through complex weight shifts and extensions. By visualizing your body as a compass, you can more easily identify when you are leaning off-balance and correct it in real-time. This awareness is crucial when transitioning from a tombé into a pirouette, where momentum can easily pull you off your center.
The core of today’s lesson revolves around the concept of the axis. By learning to calibrate your body, you will discover how to turn with almost no force. Our instructor guides you through the nuances of pirouettes, starting with precise singles as a reference point before moving into doubles. You will learn how the sensation of "up" remains the same regardless of the number of rotations, but requires a refined push from the legs and arms combined with impeccable timing. We explore how to use the plié as a spring and the relevé as the locking mechanism for your axis. We also break down the mechanics of the arms and the importance of a strong passé or retiré position to ensure your rotation is clean and efficient.
Throughout the combinations, including movements like the promenade, we emphasize the importance of orienting yourself to verticality in various contexts. Finding your "up" is described as a magical moment where balance becomes effortless and the floor feels like a platform for growth rather than a source of friction. We conclude the session by honoring the tradition of the ballet bow, or révérence. Using the orchestra and balcony as spatial references helps orient your focus outward toward an imaginary audience. We also discuss the significance of the "pinky to chest" gesture as a sign of traditional respect in the studio. Join us at Broche Ballet to refine your artistry and technical precision.
