What You'll Learn
- Techniques for maintaining back width and chest expansion to stabilize your center
- How to isolate the glutes and core to lift the leg without swaying the spine
- Drills for transitions including tombé pas de bourrée and tendu movements
- Strategies for finding your upright position to maintain balance control
- The role of binding the back to prevent shoulder instability during balances
About This Video
Finding your stability in the center is one of the most challenging aspects of ballet training. In this Broche Ballet practice session, we dive deep into specific balancing drills designed to refine your arabesque and tombé pas de bourrée. Developing a rock-solid center requires more than just leg strength; it demands a sophisticated understanding of how to engage the core and align the upper body.
The session emphasizes the structural integrity of the back. You will learn the importance of maintaining the width of the lower back while simultaneously allowing for chest expansion. This binding of the back prevents the shoulders from giving way during difficult transitions, ensuring that your spine remains a stable pillar of support.
By focusing on these micro-adjustments, you can transform a wobbly balance into a poised, controlled position. One of the key focuses of this class is the isolation of muscle groups. Many dancers inadvertently move their torso or sway their spine when lifting the leg into an arabesque or performing a plié.
We will work on keeping the back completely still, using only the glute and core muscles to initiate the lift. This precision not only improves your aesthetic line but also anchors your center of gravity. The drills included—ranging from sous-sus movements to tombé balances—are designed to build functional strength.
We explore the concept of finding upright, a mental and physical check-in that helps you stay stacked over your supporting leg. Whether you are working on a simple tendu or a complex pas de bourrée, these principles of alignment and core engagement are universal. By the end of this 13-minute practice, you will have a clearer roadmap for center stability.
Consistency is key in ballet; by integrating these drills into your routine, you will develop the muscle memory needed for effortless movement and graceful balances.
