What You'll Learn
- The technical difference between a standard port de bras and full arm sequences
- How to execute a powerful grand battement by utilizing floor pressure
- Developing leg strength and control through fondu and développé combinations
- Building muscle memory with common ballet combination patterns and musicality
About This Video
Step up to the barre with Broche Ballet for an immersive 40-minute Beginner Ballet Barre class designed to build a solid technical foundation. Led by Julie, this session focuses on the core elements that define a dancer’s grace and power: arm carriage (port de bras), leg extension, and controlled strength. Whether you are just starting your journey or looking to revisit the basics, this class provides the tools needed to execute movements with precision and artistry.
We begin with a focused look at port de bras. Many dancers overlook the arms, but they are essential for balance and expression. You will learn how the first port de bras remains consistent regardless of the leg's position, while full port de bras sequences adapt to create a seamless line from head to toe.
Julie emphasizes maintaining strength and breath in the upper body, ensuring your movements look fluid rather than stiff. Moving into the lower body work, the class covers essential exercises including plié, tendu, and the melting action of the fondu. A significant portion of the class is dedicated to développé and grand battement.
For the grand battement, you will learn a crucial technical secret: instead of simply trying to lift the leg high, focus on pushing down into the floor with the standing leg. This downward pressure creates the necessary leverage to achieve height and control without compromising your alignment. At Broche Ballet, we believe that a strong foundation is the key to artistic freedom.
This class emphasizes the repetition of core movements like the plié and tendu, which are the building blocks of every complex jump and turn. By focusing on these basics in a structured format, you can cultivate the muscle memory necessary for more advanced levels. This practice is not just about physical exercise; it's about developing the mind-body connection that allows you to feel the music and express yourself through the language of ballet.
By repeating these patterns on both sides, you develop symmetrical strength and coordination. Join us at the barre and discover how consistent practice of these fundamentals transforms your dancing.
