What You'll Learn
- Identify the three primary ways to transfer weight in center combinations
- Master the transition mechanics between piqué and tombé movements
- Develop the coordination for complex steps like pas de cheval off of relevé
- Improve balance and stability during dynamic center weight shifts
- Strategies for quickly picking up and retaining complex center sequences
About This Video
Welcome to Broche Ballet’s guide to mastering advanced center work. One of the most challenging aspects of progressing in ballet is "bridging the gap" between isolated barre exercises and the fluidity required for complex center combinations. In this practice-focused session, we deconstruct the mechanics of weight transfer to help you move with confidence and grace.
A core theme of this lesson is understanding the three fundamental ways we move through space in a combination: moving from bent to straight (such as a piqué), from straight to bent (like a tombé), and from bent to bent (dynamic jumping actions). By categorizing movements this way, dancers can better predict the necessary muscle engagements and weight shifts before the music even starts. We dive deep into the specific technique of the piqué, moving from a plié to a stable relevé.
Conversely, we explore the tombé, which requires a controlled descent from a straight leg into a softened plié. These transitions are the building blocks of every pirouette, arabesque, or bourrée sequence you will encounter. A highlight of this class is mastering the pas de cheval performed off of a relevé.
This advanced maneuver requires impeccable balance and simultaneous coordination. You will learn how to extend the working leg while simultaneously sitting into a plié on the supporting leg—a dual action that often trips up intermediate students. Through focused practice and repetition, this class aims to build your muscle memory for transitions.
Whether you are working on a sous-sous or a complex quatre temps sequence, understanding these structural elements of movement will allow you to pick up combinations faster and perform them with greater technical precision. Join us at Broche Ballet as we refine these essential skills and elevate your dance practice.
