What You'll Learn
- How to engage the quadriceps and lift the kneecaps for a perfectly straight leg line.
- Techniques for maintaining centered movement and balance during extensions.
- The secret to equal engagement in both supporting and working legs for higher grand battement.
- Proper execution of développé and à la seconde positions with maximum control.
About This Video
Welcome to Broche Ballet’s comprehensive guide to achieving that elusive straight leg feeling during your daily practice. This 46-minute beginner ballet barre class is specifically designed to help dancers understand the mechanics of a fully extended leg and how to maintain that line throughout complex movements. Whether you are a beginner looking to build a strong foundation or a more experienced dancer revisiting the basics, this session offers deep insights into the artistry of leg extension.
The class begins with a focus on fundamental alignment and the engagement of the kneecaps. Our instructor guides you through the process of lifting the quads to ensure the leg is supported and energized from the hip to the toe. You will explore how to carry this sensation through various exercises, including plié, tendu, and dégagé, ensuring that your legs remain long and active even during transitions.
As the barre progresses, we delve into more demanding movements such as développé and grand battement. You will learn how to maintain a centered movement even as the working leg moves away from the body. We emphasize the importance of the supporting leg, teaching you how to super stretch into the ground to provide the stability needed for high extensions in à la seconde and arabesque.
By focusing on the engagement of both legs equally, you will find a new level of control and grace in your dancing. Throughout the lesson, detailed corrections and explanations are provided to help you avoid common pitfalls, such as letting the knee bend at the height of an extension. This class is not just about flexibility; it is about the strength and awareness required to hold a beautiful, straight line.
Join us at the barre and transform your technique with Broche Ballet.
