What You'll Learn
- How to integrate épaulement into tendu combinations for enhanced artistry
- Techniques for engaging the triceps and upper back to stabilize the arms in the center
- Strategies for maintaining balance in adagio and rond de jambe through core control
- The relationship between exaggeration and finding your center of gravity
About This Video
Welcome to a comprehensive Advanced Ballet Center session at Broche Ballet, designed to challenge your technical precision and artistic expression. This class focuses on the intricate relationship between lower body strength and upper body carriage, specifically targeting the execution of tendu with épaulement and the fluid control required for adagio. We start the center work by refining the tendu.
It is not enough to simply stretch the foot; we explore how the use of épaulement—the positioning of the head, neck, and shoulders—adds depth and professional polish to your dancing. By focusing on these details, you learn to move with the presence of a danseur or ballerina, even in a home studio environment. A unique technical focus of this lesson is the engagement of the upper body.
The instructor emphasizes keeping the armpits strong and the triceps active. This engagement is vital for maintaining a solid frame during complex movements like rond de jambe en dedans and en dehors. You will also explore specific mechanics for lifting the standing heel during rotations, a technique that allows for smoother weight transfers and more successful turns.
In the adagio portion, we slow down to build muscle strength and endurance. This section is all about body awareness. By holding positions and moving through them with resistance, you gain a deeper understanding of your alignment and control.
We encourage you to push past your comfort zone; exaggerating your movements and even losing your balance occasionally is part of the growth process. At Broche Ballet, we believe that mistakes are essential data points for improvement. By the end of this class, you will have a better grasp of how to maintain engagement throughout your entire body, ensuring that every movement is intentional and controlled.
Whether you are preparing for a performance or simply looking to level up your training, these exercises provide the tools necessary for advanced mastery.
