Beginner Ballet Barre: Focus on Pelvis, Ribs, and Shoulders

Welcome to a targeted 25-minute barre practice at Broche Ballet designed to refine the core architecture of your dance technique. This session focuses deeply on the alignment of the pelvis, ribs, and shoulders—the essential "box" of the torso that dictates stability in both barre and center work. By isolating these mechanical areas, you will develop the somatic awareness necessary to maintain a professional line and prevent common alignment errors.

The practice begins with a focus on pelvic neutrality. Many dancers struggle with an anterior tilt; here, we emphasize keeping the front of the hips higher than the back to engage the deep abdominals and stabilize the lower spine. Complementing this is the "knitting" of the ribs, ensuring the ribcage stays closed and connected to the core rather than splaying forward.

These adjustments are vital during movements like demi-plié and tendu, where maintaining a vertical axis is paramount. Throughout the class, we utilize two hands on the barre. This setup is not just for balance; it allows for cross-body support through the activation of the lats, helping you keep your shoulders square and your weight evenly distributed.

You will explore exercises like dégagé and fondu, focusing on the "clamshell" action of the legs. By pressing the knees back and squeezing the glutes, you maximize turn-out from the hip socket rather than forcing it from the knees or ankles. A unique highlight of this session is the philosophy of working in first position to improve your fifth position.

By performing ronds de jambe from first, you can isolate the rotation of the femur head without the complexity of crossing the legs. This builds the strength and placement required for a more secure and technically sound fifth position later on. Whether you are working on your enveloppe or développé, the focus remains on slow, deliberate drills that prioritize precision over speed.