What You'll Learn
- Master the grand battement by using floor friction and fast toe action for better lift.
- Develop a compact upper body by focusing on shoulder placement and arm engagement.
- Improve balance and stability through targeted sous-sus and passé exercises.
- Understand the mechanics of the plié to maintain control during transitions.
- Learn to relax the hip flexors to achieve a greater range of motion in back extensions.
About This Video
Join Broche Ballet for a unique 49-minute experience: an All-Level Ballet Barre filmed on location in the Bahamas. This session is designed to challenge your technical foundations while providing the flexibility of an all-levels approach, proving that you can refine your craft anywhere. The primary focus of this practice is the mastery of the grand battement technique. Our instructor breaks down the mechanics of this powerful movement, emphasizing the importance of utilizing floor friction—much like striking a match—to achieve height and precision. You will learn to execute the circular down-and-up motion that gives the leg its characteristic lift and grace.
Beyond the legs, this class places a heavy emphasis on upper-body stability and alignment. You will work on maintaining a compact upper body, a hallmark of professional ballet form. This involves holding the shoulders down and keeping the arms engaged, ensuring that your torso remains a stable anchor while your legs move powerfully and freely. We also explore how to relax the hip flexors during back extensions to allow for a deeper stretch and more functional movement. Throughout the barre, the class moves through a classic progression including plié, passé, and sous-sus exercises. Each movement serves as an opportunity to refine your engagement and find a sense of lift.
The session concludes with dedicated work on balance and stability. You will practice holding positions on a single leg and in sous-sus, learning to find your vertical axis and engage your core. Whether you are a beginner looking to understand the basics of a grand battement or an intermediate dancer wanting to polish your alignment, this class offers professional guidance and encouraging corrections to help you reach your goals. Grab your barre and get ready to dance!
