What You'll Learn
- Correct mechanics for the pas de couru running movement to maintain stability.
- Techniques for fluid ankle transitions to create a smooth pas de bourrée.
- Rhythm and timing variations, transitioning from slow practice to double-time speed.
- Strategies for maintaining balance and alignment while traveling en pointe.
- Directional footwork drills including forward, backward, and side-to-side movements.
About This Video
Mastering the intricate footwork of traveling steps is a hallmark of the intermediate dancer. In this specialized Broche Ballet class, we dedicate a full session to the nuances of the pas de bourrée and pas de couru. While these steps are often performed quickly in the center, practicing them slowly at the barre allows you to build the necessary strength, ankle flexibility, and muscle memory to execute them with effortless grace.
The class begins with a technical breakdown of the pas de couru, often referred to as a running movement. You will learn the importance of keeping the back foot directly behind the front to ensure maximum stability and a narrow line. We explore how to maintain a high relevé while traveling, focusing on the precision of the toes as they strike the floor.
Transitioning into the pas de bourrée, the focus shifts to a gliding quality. A key takeaway from this lesson is the role of the ankles. By allowing the ankles to remain supple and the legs slightly relaxed, you can achieve a smooth, hovering effect across the floor.
We practice these movements in various directions—forward, backward, and side-to-side—to ensure you are prepared for any choreographic challenge. Musicality plays a vital role in this deep dive. We progress from slow, controlled repetitions to double-time exercises.
This shift in speed tests your ability to maintain proper alignment and turnout even as the tempo increases. By the end of this 28-minute session, you will have a clearer understanding of how to use your feet as precision instruments, allowing for faster, more articulate pointe work. Whether you are looking to improve your sus-sous transitions or your overall traveling speed, this focused barre session provides the technical foundation needed to elevate your intermediate pointe practice.
