What You'll Learn
- Refine your balancé technique with proper arm placement and diagonal lines.
- Master the transition from traveling steps into a controlled pirouette.
- Identify and maintain your vertical turning axis for more stable rotations.
- Learn to use footwork as a source of momentum and speed in center combinations.
- Improve overall coordination between port de bras and lower body movements.
About This Video
Elevate your center work with Broche Ballet's specialized tutorial on the waltz and pirouette combination. This all-level class is designed to help dancers find their flow while maintaining the rigorous technical standards of classical ballet. While we welcome dancers of various experience levels, having a foundational understanding of the balancé will help you focus more on the nuances of the arm placement and turning mechanics presented in this session.
A significant portion of this lesson is dedicated to the artistry and physics of the waltz. The instructor emphasizes that a strong line starts with the arms. By keeping the arms lifted and moving through classical positions, you create a frame that supports your weight during the balancé.
We focus specifically on how the hand should travel forward and down toward the diagonal. This subtle adjustment creates a supported line that prevents the torso from collapsing, which is essential for maintaining balance during traveling steps. As we transition into the turning portion of the combination, we tackle one of the most common challenges in ballet: maintaining the turning axis.
When moving through a tombé, pas de bourrée, and chassé, many dancers lose their verticality during the preparatory plié. This class provides actionable tips on how to keep your axis straight. You will practice pushing your turning axis forward, ensuring that your ribs, hips, and head are perfectly aligned over your supporting foot before you begin the pirouette.
Furthermore, the class explores how to generate efficient power. Instead of relying on a large wind-up, you will learn to use the touch and go action of the foot to create force. This technique allows for a quicker, more controlled rotation.
By meeting your arms in the middle during the transition, you consolidate your center of gravity, making it easier to find balance at the top of the turn. Whether you are practicing in a studio or at home, these insights from Broche Ballet will help you execute your center combinations with newfound confidence and grace.
