What You'll Learn
- Master the 'compact front' technique to stabilize your spine and ribs.
- Improve hip alignment and turnout in coup de pied and attitude positions.
- Maintain verticality and avoid rib flare during transitions to arabesque.
- Isolate movement in the hip joint to prevent unnecessary spinal compensation.
- Build stability through intentional barre-to-balance challenges and relevé.
About This Video
Achieving the iconic silhouette of a professional dancer requires more than just flexibility; it demands a deep, anatomical understanding of how the body maintains its vertical axis. In this 26-minute instructional class from Broche Ballet, we dive deep into the essential mechanics of core engagement, hip alignment, and upper body posture. Whether you are performing a simple plié or a complex arabesque, the foundation of your movement remains the same: a stable, supported center.
' Many dancers struggle with an arched lower back or flared ribs, especially during transitions to the back. Our instructor guides you through the process of lifting the front of the pelvis to meet the ribs as they pull down, effectively 'closing' the front of the body to protect the spine. This internal support is the key to maintaining verticality and grace under pressure.
The class follows a traditional barre structure, allowing you to apply these postural concepts to foundational exercises. During tendu and rond de jambe, we focus on 'making nothing happen' in the spine. By isolating the movement to the hip joint, you ensure that your torso remains a tower of strength while your legs move with freedom.
We also address specific technical details in coup de pied and attitude positions, emphasizing the rotation of the leg by pressing the working knee back and the heel forward against the standing leg. To truly master your alignment, you must test it. This session incorporates frequent barre-to-balance transitions.
By periodically releasing the barre during fondu or relevé, you will identify exactly where your weight is centered and how to use your deep rotators for better stability on demi-pointe. By the end of this practice, you will have a clearer understanding of how to reach high with the crown of the head while keeping the shoulders pulling low, creating the expansive, professional posture every dancer strives for.
