What You'll Learn
- How to use the shoulders as the primary driver for momentum in pirouettes.
- Proper alignment and weight distribution for stable turns and balancing.
- Techniques for executing clean tombé, chassé, and arabesque combinations.
- Understanding the unique 1-2-3-4-5-6 count and musicality of the polonaise.
- Core engagement strategies to maintain a straight back and 90-degree lunge.
About This Video
Refine your center practice with this comprehensive all-levels class from Broche Ballet. Center work is the heart of ballet, where the strength built at the barre transforms into fluid, expressive movement. This session focuses on the critical relationship between body positioning and momentum, ensuring you move with both grace and power. We dive deep into the mechanics of the pirouette, emphasizing a fundamental but often overlooked secret: your shoulders, not your legs, are the primary drivers of momentum. By learning to lead with the body, you will find more stability and consistency in your turns.
Throughout the class, we explore a variety of essential movements including the arabesque, chassé, and tombé. The instructor provides detailed corrections on maintaining a vertical alignment and keeping the core engaged, especially when transitioning through lunges. You will learn the importance of keeping the back straight and the front knee at a precise 90-degree angle to protect your joints and maintain a professional line. Balance is another key focus; you will practice distributing your weight effectively over the standing leg to ensure every swivel and turn is executed with control.
Musicality plays a starring role in this lesson as we work with the unique phrasing of the polonaise. Navigating a 6-count rhythm can be challenging, but it is essential for developing the sophisticated timing required for advanced ballet choreography. The class follows a structured progression, moving from foundational exercises to more complex combinations, and concludes with a graceful port de bras to center the body and mind. Whether you are looking to sharpen your technical execution or simply enjoy a rewarding dance session, this video offers the tools you need to excel in the center.
