What You'll Learn
- Proper alignment and core engagement during extended plié sequences
- How to articulate the foot through controlled, smooth tendu movements
- Maintaining heel height and stability during fondu and cou-de-pied transitions
- Techniques for improving turnout and balance at the barre
- The importance of posture and head placement for better artistic expression
About This Video
Start your practice on the right foot with this 25-minute foundational barre session from Broche Ballet. Focused entirely on the cornerstones of ballet technique—the plié and the tendu—this class is designed to help dancers of all levels find their center, activate their muscles, and refine their alignment. We begin with extra-long plié combinations, allowing you to find a deep sense of grounding and breadth through the hips while maintaining a tall, supported spine and engaged core.
As we transition into tendu work, the focus shifts to the articulation of the feet. You will learn to lead with the heel, maintaining high arches and resisting the floor to build necessary strength for future jumps and turns. Our instructor guides you through these essential movements with a keen eye on technique, ensuring that every enveloppé and cou-de-pied position is executed with precision.
This class also incorporates the fondu, often described as a 'melting' movement. Here, we emphasize the importance of keeping the heel high and the supporting leg stable. You will discover how to avoid common pitfalls, such as letting the ankle drop or losing the extension of the foot during transitions.
By focusing on these slower, controlled movements, you develop the stability required for more advanced barre and center work. The value of repetition in ballet cannot be overstated. By revisiting these fundamental steps, you refine the neuromuscular connections that dictate your turnout and posture.
Our instructor provides constant feedback on head placement and chin height, reminding you that artistry starts the moment you place your hand on the barre. This 'feel-good' routine isn't just a physical warmup; it's a mental recalibration, encouraging you to be expressive and engaged from the first plié to the final port de bras. Join us at the barre and experience how a dedicated focus on the basics can transform your entire ballet practice.
