What You'll Learn
- How to transition a grand battement into a high attitude devant with control.
- Techniques for engaging the obliques to support stable à la seconde extensions.
- Using the barre to improve flexibility and reach through high-bar stretching.
- Executing precise sous-sus and soutenu movements to maintain alignment.
- The role of the plié in reorganizing the body for cambré and extensions.
About This Video
Unlock your potential for higher leg extensions and greater flexibility in this focused session from Broche Ballet. This tutorial bridges the gap between simple stretching and the active strength required for beautiful grand battement and à la seconde extensions. We start at the barre, focusing on the fundamental plié to establish a grounded foundation and find your center.
From here, we explore the dynamic nature of extensions. Instead of viewing a high leg as a heavy lift, the instructor guides you to think of it as a reaching movement. By smoothing out the top of your grand battement and allowing the knee to soften into attitude devant, you can achieve greater height and a more aesthetic line.
The core plays a pivotal role in every movement featured in this class. You will learn specific techniques for engaging your obliques to support your à la seconde extensions, ensuring that the hips stay level and the supporting side remains strong. We also delve into the technicalities of cambré, emphasizing how a deep breath and a lifted chest allow for a safer and more expressive arch.
Using the barre for leverage, students will practice stretching their legs to the high bar, a challenging but rewarding exercise for improving the range of motion in the hamstrings and hip flexors. Transitions are equally important in this lesson. We practice the sous-sus and soutenu movements to develop control when turning toward or away from the barre.
These movements require precision and a strong sense of verticality. The instructor also introduces foot and leg swings as a way to warm up the joints and test your natural range of motion. By the end of this class, you will have a better understanding of how to use your breath, core, and proper plié to reorganize your body for more advanced battement sequences.
Whether you are preparing for center work or simply want to improve your lines, these barre exercises provide the technical clarity needed to advance your practice.
