What You'll Learn
- Master foot articulation and ankle mobility using tendu-flex and pas de cheval combinations.
- Improve stability and functional range of motion by maintaining active turnout during pliés.
- Prevent sickling by focusing on heel placement in cou-de-pied and weight transitions.
- Develop artistic musicality by coordinating port de bras and head movements with Tchaikovsky’s score.
- Refine weight transfers and transitions like tombé and chassé for fluid movement.
About This Video
Transport yourself to the stage with this 38-minute gentle ballet class set to the timeless music of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. Designed by Broche Ballet, this session blends the whimsy of holiday-inspired musicality with a deep focus on foundational technique. Whether you are revisiting the basics or looking for a steady-paced practice that emphasizes alignment, this class provides a comprehensive workout for the body and the mind.
The lesson begins at the barre, where we explore traditional exercises starting with demi plié and grand plié across multiple positions. A primary technical focus of this class is foot articulation and ankle mobility. Through complex tendu and flex combinations, you will learn to drive through the heel to ensure the knee remains straight and the Achilles is properly lengthened, preventing the common habit of sickling.
As we progress through the barre, the instructor guides you through sequences involving rond de jambe, enveloppé, and fondu. These exercises are not just about strength but also about the grace of the upper body. You will practice coordinating your head and port de bras movements with the specific musical phrasing of the Nutcracker score, enhancing your artistic expression.
Special attention is given to transitions and weight transfers, such as the tombé and chassé, where picking up the standing heel is essential for fluid movement. The class also covers turnout from the hips, especially during stable fourth-position pliés, and develops balance during cou-de-pied and pas de cheval movements. We conclude the session with a lyrical adagio and port de bras sequence, incorporating developpé to find length and poise.
This practice is ideal for dancers who want to prioritize correct alignment and the beautiful articulation of the feet while enjoying the world's most famous ballet music.
