What You'll Learn
- How to maintain stability and control during tendu and dégagé without barre support.
- Techniques for finding a strong center and immediate balance during développé and passé.
- Proprioception drills, including closed-eye exercises, to enhance internal balance and body awareness.
- Proper alignment of the shoulders and hips to improve posture and prevent injury.
- The 'up and over' mechanics required for successful weight transfers and sustained balances.
About This Video
Take your ballet technique to the next level by stepping away from the barre and finding your internal support. In this 40-minute practice session with Broche Ballet, we explore the concept of a 'center barre'—executing traditional barre sequences in the middle of the floor to drastically improve your balance, stability, and proprioception. By removing the physical support of the barre, you are challenged to engage your core more deeply and refine your alignment from the very first movement.
The class begins with a comprehensive warm-up designed to wake up the stabilizing muscles of the feet and ankles. From there, we progress through a series of fundamental exercises including tendu, dégagé, and passé. A significant focus of this lesson is the développé; you will learn how to set up a stable balance right from the initiation of the movement. The instructor provides detailed technical cues on how to keep the supporting leg straight while the working leg moves through the positions of la seconde and arabesque.
One of the unique highlights of this session is the integration of proprioception drills, such as practicing balance exercises with your eyes closed. This technique helps you focus on internal sensations rather than visual cues, helping you stay 'up and over' your standing leg. We also dive into the mechanics of the hips during passé, ensuring you push the knees up and over the foot to maintain a level pelvis. Throughout the class, we emphasize the importance of maintaining even shoulders and using an allongée line to extend your energy through the space.
Whether you are working on your en dedans and en dehors rotations or preparing for future pas de deux work, mastering the center barre is an essential step for any dancer. By the end of this class, you will have a stronger sense of your center of gravity and the confidence to perform complex movements without relying on external support. Join us at Broche Ballet as we refine your musicality, timing, and dance technique in this all-level center barre class.
