Gentle Ballet Barre Warmup: Focused Pliés & Tendus

Start your ballet practice on the right foot with this gentle and engaging 26-minute warmup from Broche Ballet. In this session, we strip back the complexity to focus on the fundamental building blocks of classical dance: the plié and the tendu. Whether you are preparing for a full class or simply looking to maintain your technique at home, this barre-focused routine provides the perfect balance of technical instruction and movement flow. Our instructor guides you through essential exercises designed to wake up the muscles while emphasizing precision and grace.

You will work through various sequences involving the pas de cheval and the envelopé, learning how to articulate the feet and maintain a fluid line through the leg. Our instructor provides detailed feedback on maintaining proper posture and alignment throughout every movement. A key focus of this lesson is the relationship between the head, hip, and foot; keeping these three points aligned is crucial for both stability and aesthetic grace. By mastering this vertical alignment, you can move through your tendu and plié combinations with greater ease and control.

We also delve into the nuances of ballet etiquette and traditional performance standards. You will learn the importance of closing in a clean fifth position and using the arms—specifically the allonger movement—to finish a combination with poise. By focusing on the correct timing and counts (five, six, seven, eight, and one), you will enhance your musicality and ensure your movements are perfectly synchronized with the accompaniment. Throughout the practice, the atmosphere remains encouraging and supportive. We emphasize staying relaxed, particularly through the inside leg, to avoid unnecessary tension and "popping" out of alignment. This approach allows for a more functional and beautiful range of motion. Join Broche Ballet for this specialized session and experience how a mindful warmup can transform your entire dance practice.