What You'll Learn
- Correct technique for fondu and tendu with a focus on foot articulation
- Arm coordination patterns and timing for fluid transitions
- Exercises to improve hip flexor flexibility and lower back strength for arabesque
- Strategies for maintaining balance and control during balançoire work
- The importance of the standing leg's stability in extension exercises
About This Video
Refine your foundations and build a stronger technical base with this comprehensive Beginner Ballet Barre class from Broche Ballet. Designed specifically for those at the start of their journey or dancers returning to the basics, this session focuses on the intricate details that make ballet both beautiful and athletic. Throughout the nearly 50-minute practice, you will be guided through a series of exercises that challenge your coordination, flexibility, and strength.
We begin with foundational plié and tendu sequences, where the focus is on the articulation of the foot. You will learn the importance of keeping the toe pointed through the very last millisecond before it touches the floor in fondu exercises. We emphasize correct terminology and form, ensuring you understand that a fondu is a melting action on one leg. This class also focuses on heel placement; keeping the heel facing forward during a développé is essential for maintaining proper turnout and hip alignment.
Coordination is a major theme in this session. You will practice specific port de bras (arm movements) that complement your leg work. In tendu and fondu exercises, we focus on the timing of the arms—learning to let the arm descend gracefully before opening to a new position. This synchronization is what creates the seamless look characteristic of professional dancers.
As we move into more dynamic movements like balançoire, the instructor highlights the necessity of a stable standing leg. Keeping the supporting side strong and straight allows for greater freedom of movement in the working leg. We also target the flexibility required for advanced positions, including hip flexor and lower back extensions. These are vital for improving your arabesque and working toward your splits. By the end of this class, you will have a better grasp of how to maintain balance and control throughout an entire routine, providing a solid stepping stone for your future ballet endeavors.
