What You'll Learn
- Master the airplane floor exercise to improve arabesque height and back strength.
- Learn to engage the core effectively to lift the torso and protect the lower back.
- Refine pelvic alignment and hip flexibility through specialized Kniaseff techniques.
- Develop better upper-body coordination and hand placement during floor work.
- Understand how to translate floor-based conditioning into standing barre work.
About This Video
Take your training beyond the standing barre with this specialized Kniaseff Floor Barre class at Broche Ballet. Led by instructors India Rose and Julie, this session focuses on the intricate mechanics of the airplane exercise, a vital movement for developing the strength and flexibility required for a stunning arabesque. The Kniaseff method is renowned for its ability to isolate muscle groups and refine alignment by removing the challenge of vertical balance, allowing you to focus entirely on the quality of your movement.
In this quicker-paced class, you will dive deep into pelvic positioning and core engagement. One of the primary goals is learning how to lift the back using the stomach muscles rather than relying solely on the lower spine. This prevents overarching and ensures a long, supported line in all your extensions. By practicing these movements on the floor, you can find the correct muscle activation patterns that are often missed when standing.
The airplane exercise serves as the centerpiece of this practice. You will learn to bend the elbows precisely, turn the hands inward, and slide through the movement to stretch the front of the hip. By focusing on the relationship between the pelvis and the legs while on the floor, you can find greater freedom in your arabesque once you return to your feet. The instructors provide detailed cues on how to keep the pelvis low while reaching for maximum extension, ensuring that your legs will naturally find more height in future classes.
Throughout the session, we emphasize the importance of subtle details, from the placement of specialized hand positions to the specific engagement of the core. Whether you are working on your pointe strength or simply looking to improve your overall technique, these floor-based exercises provide a low-impact yet high-intensity way to condition your body. By mastering these floor barre fundamentals, you’ll find more stability, better turnout, and a more expressive upper body in your standing practice. Join Broche Ballet for this focused exploration of movement and strength.
