What You'll Learn
- Effective spotting techniques using the nose-to-knee opposition rule
- How to generate and control momentum during pirouette and piqué turns
- Visualization techniques like the "nickel" profile to maintain vertical balance
- Enhancing adagio and center combinations with expressive port de bras
- Executing pas de chat and soutenu with proper alignment and timing
About This Video
Welcome to this comprehensive all-level center practice from Broche Ballet. In this session, we transition away from the barre to focus on the fundamental pillars of ballet center work: balance, fluid movement, and technical precision in turns. Whether you are a beginner looking to understand the basic mechanics of a pirouette or an intermediate dancer aiming to refine your momentum, this class provides actionable tips and unique visualizations to elevate your practice from home.
The session begins with a focused adagio sequence, emphasizing control, sustainment, and the slow unfolding of movements. We then move into more dynamic combinations involving piqué turns and soutenu. A primary focus of this class is the concept of opposition and spotting. The instructor introduces a helpful "nickel" visualization—imagining yourself in a profile position where the nose faces forward and the knee faces back—to help maintain weight over the standing foot during rotations. This mental image is a game-changer for achieving the necessary momentum and stability for a clean pirouette.
Throughout the class, we explore how the head and knee work in tandem to stabilize the body. You will practice specific port de bras movements, including reversing arm paths to add variety and challenge to your center exercises. We also incorporate the pas de chat, focusing on the lift and airy quality of the jump. By focusing on alignment and the correct execution of allongée positions, you will find more grace and strength in your transitions. Broche Ballet is dedicated to making high-quality instruction accessible to adult dancers, ensuring that every movement, from a simple tendu to a complex turn, is executed with professional technique and mindful alignment.
