What You'll Learn
- How to engage the armpit and shoulder blades to power your port de bras
- Proper pelvic alignment and core engagement for lifting the leg with control
- Detailed foot placement for fondu and battement to ensure ankle stability
- Techniques for maintaining a strong standing side without leaning
- Specific hip flexor stretches to improve turnout and range of motion
About This Video
Welcome to this comprehensive Beginner Ballet Barre session at Broche Ballet, designed to help you build a rock-solid foundation in classical technique. In this 35-minute class, we dive deep into the mechanics of movement, ensuring that every plié and fondu is executed with precision and grace. Whether you are just starting your journey or looking to refine your basics, this practice offers the detailed guidance needed to progress with confidence.
We begin with a strong focus on upper body alignment. You will learn how to engage the muscles under the armpit and keep the shoulder blades back and down to create a stable frame for your port de bras. Proper arm placement is not just about aesthetics; it is the engine that powers your movement, providing the stability needed for more complex steps.
By maintaining a reach through the elbow and keeping the standing shoulder stable, you create the necessary counter-balance for fluid leg movements. Throughout the barre, we emphasize core stability and pelvic alignment. When performing exercises like battement or fondu, it is crucial to pull up from the base of the pelvis rather than gripping the hip flexors.
We focus on the active leg—ensuring the toes reach the ankle bone and knee with intention—while never forgetting the importance of the standing leg. You will learn to stretch each leg down through the floor, finding length and resistance even in the most challenging transitions. Precision in footwork is another key pillar of this class.
We discuss the relationship between the heel and the calf during stretches, ensuring your weight placement allows for maximum mobility and prevents injury. By the end of this session, you will understand how to lift the leg with control rather than momentum. Join us at Broche Ballet to transform your technique and build the functional strength required for beautiful, healthy dancing.
