What You'll Learn
- Proper alignment for plié and chassé back to improve balance
- Techniques for maintaining stability in an arabesque using head placement
- How to execute fluid développés and clean sous-sous positions
- Strategies for seamless weight transfer and coordination in the center
About This Video
Transitioning from the stability of the barre to the open floor of the center is one of the most exciting and challenging phases of ballet training. In this 28-minute Beginner Ballet Center class from Broche Ballet, we focus on two of the most essential skills for any aspiring dancer: weight transfer and coordination. This session provides the technical foundation needed to move with grace, power, and confidence without the support of the barre.
We begin the class by revisiting the fundamentals of the plié. While often treated as a simple warm-up, the plié is the engine behind almost every ballet movement. Our instructor emphasizes proper alignment, specifically keeping the hips forward while actively pushing the knees back.
This creates a secure base of support and prevents the common habit of pitching the torso forward. This technical focus carries directly into our travel sequences, such as the chassé back. By maintaining the knee's position behind the hip, you will find it much easier to stay centered and maintain balance during rapid weight shifts.
As we progress into the adagio portion of the class, we explore the arabesque and développé. Finding balance in an arabesque requires more than just leg height; it requires a precise relationship between your eye line and your spine. You will learn how to stabilize your chin and neck to prevent your center of gravity from shifting.
Furthermore, we focus on the coordination of the arms and legs, ensuring that movements like allongé and sous-sous feel integrated rather than disjointed. The class also incorporates the pas de basque, a step that requires precise coordination of the feet and a subtle shift in weight. Throughout the lesson, the instructor provides real-time cues and corrections to help you refine your form.
And to keep the atmosphere lighthearted, you will notice several appearances from our resident greyhounds! Whether you are a beginner or an adult dancer returning to the studio, this class will help you find your center and move with newfound fluidity.
