All-Level Ballet Barre: Strengthening Your Leg Extensions

Achieving beautiful, high leg extensions is a journey that starts with fundamental strength and precise alignment at the barre. In this comprehensive All-Level Ballet Barre class from Broche Ballet, we dive deep into the mechanics of the hip, core, and upper body to unlock your potential for higher legs and better control. Whether you are working toward a higher arabesque or a more stable à la seconde, this session provides the tools you need to succeed.

The class begins with a focus on preparation movements, including coup de pied and passé, ensuring that the foundation of every movement is solid. A key theme throughout this practice is the concept of hip connection. You will learn how to engage the core effectively to prepare the body for the weight of the leg, allowing for smoother transitions into attitude and full extensions en croix.

One of the unique aspects of this class is the attention to the upper body’s role in lower body success. We emphasize keeping the shoulder blades 'down and wide' to maintain a flat, strong back. This alignment, combined with closed ribs and an open lower back, creates the stability necessary to push your relevé and plié to new heights.

Throughout the exercises, the instructor provides specific anatomical cues, such as the relationship between the femur and the knee, and the importance of squeezing between the calf and hamstring to maintain active tension. These technical details are what transform a standard barre exercise into a powerful strengthening tool for your dance practice. By the end of this 45-minute session, you will have a deeper understanding of how to balance effort with ease, using your breath and core stability to find more height in your extensions without sacrificing form.

Join us at the barre and take your ballet technique to the next level.