What You'll Learn
- Correct technique for tendu and développé to maximize leg length and reach.
- Strategies to maintain a straight knee during grand battement and adagio.
- How to use core engagement to support the weight of the leg in high extensions.
- Proper execution of cou-de-pied and passé to create a seamless line into arabesque.
- Methods for stretching and releasing the legs to improve overall flexibility.
About This Video
Welcome to Broche Ballet’s dedicated session on achieving the quintessential aesthetic of the classical dancer: long, beautiful leg lines. This 39-minute beginner barre class is meticulously designed to help you understand the mechanics of extension, focusing on how to maintain a straight knee and an engaged core through every movement. Whether you are a dedicated adult beginner or a dancer looking to refine your foundations, this class offers the technical corrections needed to transform your lines.
We begin with a thorough review of the basics, starting with tendu and développé. These fundamental movements are the building blocks of length. Our instructor guides you through the process of reaching for the floor and stretching the energy out through the toes, ensuring that the working leg remains fully elongated. You will learn why the leg often wants to bend when moving to the side or back and how to counteract that tendency through active muscle engagement.
As the class progresses into adagio, the focus shifts to slow, controlled movements. Here, we explore the transitions through cou-de-pied and passé, moving into an elegant arabesque. The adagio section is vital for building the strength required to hold the weight of the leg without sacrificing form. The instructor provides constant feedback on weight placement and core stability, which are essential for maintaining balance during slow extensions.
The session culminates with grand battement. This dynamic exercise challenges you to maintain the integrity of your leg line while performing powerful, high-reaching movements. You will practice keeping the knee straight and the foot fully stretched (en pointe) even at the height of the brush. By the end of this barre practice, you will have a deeper understanding of how to release and stretch the legs to improve both flexibility and range of motion. Join us at the barre and start sculpting the long, graceful lines you’ve always dreamed of.
