What You'll Learn
- How to maintain active turnout in the center without the support of a barre
- Techniques for engaging core muscles to improve stability in cou-de-pied and arabesque
- Specific drills to enhance proprioception and spatial awareness
- Preparation for pirouettes by practicing rotation around a central axis
About This Video
Finding stability in the center is one of the most rewarding yet challenging aspects of classical dance. This 15-minute session from Broche Ballet focuses specifically on bridging the gap between the support of the barre and the freedom of the center floor. We begin with a mindful warm-up incorporating cambré to find spinal length and proper alignment before moving into more strenuous balance work.
The core of this practice involves targeted drills designed to improve your turnout and overall muscular control. Many dancers struggle with maintaining their rotation once they let go of the barre. These exercises teach you how to keep your feet grounded while ensuring your turnout originates from the deep rotators of the hips.
We practice tiny lifts off the ground—focusing on positions like cou-de-pied and à la seconde—to build the micro-stability and proprioception needed for longer, more sustained balances. Proprioception, or your body's innate sense of its position in space, is the secret sauce for center confidence. In this class, we use specific visualizations and breathing techniques to enhance your focus and concentration.
One of the highlights is a unique exercise simulating rotation around a vertical pole, which serves as an excellent preparation for pirouettes. By learning to rotate the body around a central axis while maintaining active turnout, you gain the stability needed for more advanced allegro and turning sequences. We also explore how to maintain proper posture and alignment while transitioning through different heights, such as moving from a plié to a relevé or holding an arabesque.
The value of slow and controlled movements cannot be overstated; they force the engagement of the core muscles and refine your sense of balance. Regular practice of these ballet exercises will not only improve your physical fitness but also provide the coordination necessary for complex choreography. Join us at Broche Ballet to master these essential center skills and feel truly confident every time you step away from the barre.
