What You'll Learn
- How to maintain proper relevé technique through high repetitions
- Strategies for building calf endurance and ankle stability
- Incorporating breath to sustain effort during challenging exercises
- Variations of relevés in parallel and turned-out positions
About This Video
At Broche Ballet, we believe that dance is a lifelong journey, and what better way to celebrate a milestone than with a movement challenge? In this special session, we tackle 46 birthday relevés to honor Anka’s birthday. This isn't just a simple repetitive exercise; it is a celebration of strength, longevity, and the joy of ballet at any age.
Whether you are in your 20s, 40s, or 80s, the goal of matching your age in relevés is an inspiring benchmark for any dedicated dancer. During this class, we explore the versatility of the relevé. You aren’t limited to one position; we encourage you to play with parallel, turned-out, single-leg, and double-leg variations.
This variety keeps the mind engaged while working the stabilizing muscles of the feet and ankles. We place a heavy emphasis on proper technique, ensuring that each rise is supported by a strong core and correct alignment. One of the most critical components we focus on is breath.
In ballet, breathing isn't just passive; it's a tool to help you power through endurance-heavy sequences without building unnecessary tension in the neck or shoulders. The instructor guides you through the set of 46 with encouraging cues and upbeat music to keep the energy high. You will learn how to listen to your body, switching to two legs for support when needed or pushing yourself on one leg when you feel strong.
We also touch upon the importance of turnout and how to maintain it even as fatigue sets in. This exercise serves as a fantastic blueprint for building your own personal birthday tradition. Building this kind of calf and ankle endurance is essential for those looking toward pointe work or simply wanting more stability in their center practice.
By the end of the session, you’ll not only have completed a significant strength-building set but also gained a new perspective on how to set long-term goals for your ballet practice. Join the Broche Ballet community at the barre and let’s celebrate through movement!
