What You'll Learn
- Improve foot articulation and strength by peeling through the foot during tendu sequences.
- Enhance stability by engaging inner thighs and pressing all ten toes into the floor during cambré.
- Develop essential jump coordination by timing the standing leg extension through first position.
- Maintain proper hip alignment and avoid tilting during back extensions and side movements.
- Refine leg control using the specific paths of pas de cheval and enveloppé.
About This Video
Experience a mindful approach to classical technique with this 34-minute gentle ballet barre class from Broche Ballet. Specifically designed to prioritize fluid movement and meticulous foot articulation, this session is unique for its 'no demi-pointe' approach. By remaining on flat or in pointe shoes without compulsory rising to the balls of the feet, dancers can focus deeply on placement, weight distribution, and the muscular engagement of the lower body. This makes it an ideal session for those recovering from injury, dancers looking to build foundational strength for pointe work, or anyone seeking a therapeutic yet technical practice.
The class begins with demi and grand plié sequences integrated with cambré to warm up the spine and establish a strong center. We then move into tendu and dégagé exercises that emphasize 'peeling' the foot off the floor, a crucial skill for developing the power and grace needed for advanced pointe work and jumps. You will also work through ronds de jambe and pas de cheval, focusing on the specific paths the working leg takes to refine control and hip stability. A key technical highlight of this class is the focus on coordination: practicing the precise timing of straightening the supporting leg as the working leg brushes through first position—a foundational habit for clean, high jumps.
Throughout the practice, the instructor provides detailed cues on engaging the inner thighs and keeping all ten toes pressed firmly into the floor to avoid 'rolling' in or out. The class concludes with a flowing fondu and adagio combination featuring développé and enveloppé movements, encouraging musicality and a deep stretch through the side and back. Whether you are a beginner looking to understand foot mechanics or an advanced dancer seeking a low-impact recovery day, this class provides the technical rigor and somatic awareness Broche Ballet is known for.
