Ballet Warmup Barre: Dedicated Pliés and Tendus Session

Mastering the fundamental movements of ballet is a lifelong journey for every dancer. In this 21-minute focused barre session with Broche Ballet, we strip away the complexity to focus on the two most essential building blocks of technique: the plié and the tendu. This class is not just about going through the motions; it is an intentional exploration of functional turnout and anatomical alignment.

The instructor guides you through a series of exercises designed to wake up the deep rotator muscles of the hips. A common mistake in ballet is 'forcing' turnout from the feet or knees, but here we emphasize the rotation of the femur bone within the pelvis. By focusing on the feeling of work in the back of the hip during every plié, you build the strength necessary for more advanced movements later in your practice.

Our tendu sequences are designed to improve your articulation and floor pressure. We move through combinations that travel to the front, side, and back, ensuring that the turnout is maintained consistently throughout the entire range of motion. You will also work on transitions involving cou-de-pied and positions à la seconde, challenging your stability and core engagement.

Whether you are using this as a stand-alone warmup or as a technical deep-dive, you will walk away with a better understanding of how your body moves. We incorporate relevé to test your balance and ensure that your weight placement is centered over the balls of your feet. By the end of this session, your legs will feel energized, your hips will feel open, and your technique will be primed for more complex center work.

Broche Ballet is committed to providing detailed instruction that makes high-level technique accessible to everyone, and this plié and tendu warmup is the perfect example of that mission in action.