What You'll Learn
- How to use plié to deepen your leg stretches safely at the barre.
- Techniques for maintaining hip alignment and a straight knee during extensions.
- Effective ways to use your breath to release muscle tension in deep poses.
- Specific adjustments for front and side stretching positions to improve lines.
- Methods for using head weight and gaze to enhance your reach and flexibility.
About This Video
Achieving graceful extensions and fluid movement requires a dedicated approach to flexibility. In this 12-minute practice session from Broche Ballet, we focus specifically on targeted barre stretches for the front and side. Whether you are looking to improve your height in grand battement or seeking a more stable seconde position, this class provides the technical foundation needed to safely increase your range of motion.
The session begins at the barre with a series of plié movements designed to warm up the muscles and prepare the joints for deeper work. You will learn to integrate the flex and pointe of the foot to engage the entire leg, ensuring that your knees stay straight and supported throughout the stretch. A key focus of this video is hip alignment; the instructor guides you to pull the hips closer together and maintain a level pelvis, which is essential for proper ballet technique and injury prevention.
As the intensity increases, you will explore reaching across the body and over the leg. The instructor emphasizes the importance of the head and neck, showing you how to turn your nose toward your knee and let the weight of your head assist in the stretch. This hanging weight helps facilitate a deeper release in the hamstrings and lower back.
Beyond the physical positions, this practice emphasizes the mental aspect of ballet. You will learn to manage the physiological panic that often arises in uncomfortable or intense poses by focusing on deep, rhythmic breathing. By learning to relax the face and release unnecessary tension, you can hold positions longer and achieve better results.
Join us at the barre to refine your line, increase your flexibility, and find your breath in this focused Broche Ballet session.
