What You'll Learn
- Master the differences between croisé, effacé, and écarté positions
- Execute smooth pivot movements to change body directions at the barre
- Improve head placement and épaulement for enhanced artistry
- Develop better control and alignment during complex directional shifts
- Refine transitions through à la seconde and en face positions
About This Video
Elevate your classical technique with Broche Ballet’s "Beyond Beginner" series, specifically designed for dancers looking to move past basic terminology and into the nuanced world of body directions. In this second week of our four-part series, we dive deep into the mechanics of the pivot movement at the barre, a fundamental skill for any advancing student. Understanding how to transition between positions like croisé, effacé, and écarté is essential for creating the long, elegant lines ballet is known for.
This class focuses on the precision required to shift your orientation while maintaining perfect alignment and turnout. You will work through complex patterns that challenge your coordination and spatial awareness, moving seamlessly from en face to various diagonal directions. A key component of this lesson is the integration of épaulement and head placement.
As you navigate combinations involving écarté devant and derrière, you will learn the specific rules for head angles—such as when to look toward the shoulder or keep the gaze steady—to enhance the artistry of your movement. We also break down the transition through plié and how to use the floor to pivot efficiently without losing your center. The session includes detailed exercises at the barre that emphasize musicality and control.
By practicing these patterns, you will develop the muscle memory needed for more advanced center work and variations. Whether you are struggling to distinguish between croisé and effacé or simply want to sharpen your execution of à la seconde transitions, this guided practice provides the clarity and repetition necessary for mastery. Join us at Broche Ballet to refine your craft and gain confidence in your body’s placement and direction.
