What You'll Learn
- Techniques to isolate head and eye movements to strengthen center balance.
- Proprioception drills using closed-eye exercises and twisting patterns.
- Integrating movement with balance through tendu, dégagé, and rond de jambe.
- Advanced stability training using cloche and arabesque positions.
About This Video
Finding your center is one of the most rewarding yet challenging aspects of ballet training. In this specialized 9-minute class from Broche Ballet, we move away from the barre to focus exclusively on center stability and proprioception. Designed for intermediate to advanced dancers, these drills are specifically crafted to help you master the art of a steady balance by intentionally introducing instability and sensory challenges.
We begin with foundational one-legged balance exercises that challenge your vestibular system. Instead of focusing on a fixed point, you will learn to shift your gaze—looking over the standing side, towards the ceiling, and down to the floor. By varying your visual focus, you force your body to rely on proprioceptive feedback from your muscles and joints rather than just your eyesight.
We take this a step further with "eyes-closed" intervals, a powerful tool for developing the deep internal awareness necessary for complex pirouettes and grand allegro work. The class then progresses into dynamic movements. You will practice twisting your torso both ways while maintaining a stable base, experimenting with different arm placements and head movements.
These distraction drills simulate the real-world conditions of a ballet performance where your focus is rarely static. We integrate traditional ballet movements such as tendu front, low dégagé, and rond de jambe to test your alignment as the working leg moves through space. To conclude, we explore the relationship between balance and weight transfer using cloche movements and sustaining an arabesque.
Throughout the session, we encourage you to embrace the wobble of the standing foot. These micro-adjustments are exactly what build the strength and neural pathways needed for professional-level stability. Whether you are preparing for exams or simply want to feel more grounded in your center work, these drills provide the technical edge you need to excel.
