Refining Your Ballet Foundation: Just Pliés & Tendus

Welcome to a focused 24-minute practice session at Broche Ballet, where we strip away the complexity of grand allegro to focus on the essential building blocks of all classical dance: the plié and the tendu. While these movements appear at the start of every barre, mastering them is a lifelong pursuit for the dedicated dancer. This class goes beyond simple repetition, inviting you to explore the nuances of port de bras and the integration of the upper body into your foundational work.

We begin with a deep dive into alignment, ensuring that every plié is supported by a strong core and proper turnout. As we transition into tendu sequences, you will focus on the articulation of the foot, maintaining a sharp coup-de-pied and exploring the transition into attitude positions. What sets this class apart is its unique incorporation of character-inspired movements and playful rhythms.

We even touch upon styles reminiscent of Greek dances, encouraging you to use your head, hips, and eyes to tell a story through movement. You will learn how to bring expression to your port de bras, turning a technical exercise into a piece of performance art. Throughout the session, your instructor provides detailed feedback on elbow placement, chin positioning, and the use of 'figure eight' patterns to keep the movement fluid and organic.

Whether you are looking to strengthen your legs for higher jumps or simply want to find more grace in your transitions, this class provides the perfect environment for growth. By focusing on the details—like keeping your elbow forward and engaging your core—you will build the stability and precision needed for more advanced combinations. This Broche Ballet practice emphasizes that technique doesn't have to be clinical.

By infusing these standard exercises with musicality and character-driven intent, you will find a new sense of joy in your daily training, ensuring that your dance remains connected from the floor to the tips of your fingers.