What You'll Learn
- The 'slide and push' technique essential for generating momentum in en dedans pirouettes
- How to use a spot to maintain orientation and find the front after turning away from the barre
- Proper arm placement in first position to maintain balance throughout the turn
- Strategies to avoid falling away from the barre by using visual cues and hand placement
- Coordinated combinations that alternate between en dehors and en dedans directions
About This Video
Welcome back to our specialized series on mastering the art of turning. In this fourth installment of our five-part pirouette series at Broche Ballet, we dive deeper into the mechanics of both en dehors (outward) and en dedans (inward) turns. While previous lessons solidified our foundation, this session challenges your coordination and spatial awareness by introducing combinations at the barre.
One of the primary focuses of this lesson is the technical execution of the en dedans pirouette. Unlike the en dehors turn where we rotate away from the supporting leg, the en dedans turn requires a specific 'slide and push' technique to generate the correct momentum. Our instructor breaks down the importance of the prep, ensuring your arms are held strongly in first position and your weight is correctly placed over the supporting foot during the plié before the rise.
A significant challenge many dancers face when practicing turns at the barre is maintaining orientation. In this class, you will learn how to use a 'spot'—a specific visual focal point—to find the front again after turning away from the barre. We discuss the choreography of the hands: how to flip the head and quickly find the barre after a half-turn to ensure you do not fall away from your support.
By keeping your hands over the barre and meeting it squarely, you build the muscle memory needed for center work. We also explore the transition between different directions. You will practice combinations that alternate between en dehors and en dedans movements, helping you understand the subtle shifts in weight and push-off required for each.
This class emphasizes that a successful pirouette isn't just about the spin; it is about the precision of the plié, the strength of the passé, and the clarity of the spot. Whether you are struggling with over-rotating or losing your balance, these barre exercises provide the controlled environment necessary to troubleshoot your technique.
