What You'll Learn
- Master the "knee back, heel front" alignment for cou-de-pied and passé.
- Align the ribs and pelvis to improve core stability and balance.
- Execute a 45-degree passé with proper leg spiraling technique.
- Develop fluid transitions through demi-plié and demi-pointe movements.
- Incorporate breathing and relaxation to enhance overall movement quality.
About This Video
Welcome to this intentional 24-minute follow-along barre class from Broche Ballet, designed to help you master the subtle intricacies of alignment and turnout. In this session, we dive deep into the relationship between the ribs and the pelvis—a foundational pillar of ballet technique that ensures stability and grace in every movement. By focusing on keeping the ribs closed and the pelvis neutral, you will create a strong center from which your extensions and turns can flourish.
We place a significant emphasis on the mechanics of turnout, specifically focusing on the knee and heel placement. Throughout our cou-de-pied and passé exercises, you will learn to spin the knee back while pressing the heel forward. This "trading places" sensation is vital for achieving a true 45-degree passé and maintaining a clean line in retiré.
Our instructor guides you through drawing a mental line up and over the knee to check your alignment, ensuring your leg is spiraling correctly from the hip rather than just moving from the foot. The class also explores the nuances of demi-pointe and demi-plié. We focus on the quality of movement, ensuring that every bend and rise is executed with control and breath.
You will learn specific techniques for lifting the leg into passé, focusing on the lift from the inner thigh and the rotation of the femur. These technical details are what transform a standard barre into a professional-level training session. Finally, we conclude the class with dedicated stretching and relaxation exercises.
Ballet is as much about release as it is about tension; learning to breathe through the difficult segments and soften into the stretches will improve your overall movement quality. Whether you are practicing at home or in a studio, this follow-along barre provides the detailed corrections and feedback necessary to elevate your practice. Join us at Broche Ballet as we refine your technique, one demi-plié at a time.