What You'll Learn
- How to use the upper back as a counterbalance for leg movements like grand battement.
- Techniques for maintaining the 'correct twist' to ensure stability during transitions.
- Developing core strength and vertical alignment without the aid of a barre.
- Executing clean plié, passé, and relevé movements with proper weight placement.
- Maintaining parallel shoulders and level hips for better center floor control.
About This Video
Step away from the support of the studio rail and challenge your stability with our "Center Barre for All" session. At Broche Ballet, we believe that practicing traditional exercises in the center of the room is one of the fastest ways to build true functional strength and spatial awareness. This 40-minute practice focuses on transitioning your foundational skills into a freestanding environment, helping you find your internal verticality without the crutch of a physical barre.
Throughout this class, we dive deep into essential ballet movements, including controlled pliés, precise passés, and powerful grands battements. A major theme of this lesson is the concept of the upper body as a counterbalance. You will learn how a strong, engaged upper back helps manage the heft and momentum of the legs during high extensions.
Our instructor explains the importance of the "correct twist" in the back; by keeping the shoulder blade opposite to the working leg engaged, you prevent the momentum from pulling you off-balance. We also emphasize the importance of keeping the shoulders parallel to the floor, especially during side movements and transitions to relevé. By rehearsing combinations multiple times, you will build the muscle memory required for professional-level execution.
This class covers movements across all directions—devant, à la seconde, and derrière—ensuring a symmetrical and comprehensive workout for your core and lower body. Whether you are looking to improve your pirouette preparation or simply want to feel more secure during center work, these simple yet effective combinations will provide the tools you need to succeed. Join us on the floor and discover the confidence that comes from mastering your own balance.
