PBT Ballet Conditioning: Improve Extensions and Core Alignment with Exercise Balls

Elevate your training with this focused Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) session at Broche Ballet. This specialized 20-minute conditioning class is meticulously designed to help dancers find the deep muscle engagement required for stunning, stable ballet extensions. By utilizing a large exercise ball and a small fusion ball, we isolate the specific muscle groups necessary for mastery in devant, à la seconde, and arabesque positions. Working with the large ball provides immediate tactile feedback on your alignment and weight distribution, allowing you to correct your posture in real-time.

In this class, we dive deep into the mechanics of the développé. You will learn how to maintain a high attitude front by pulling the knee back and keeping the rotation open from the hip, preventing the common mistake of 'dropping' the hip. The small fusion ball adds a level of instability that forces your core to engage more deeply, ensuring your extensions are supported from your center rather than relying solely on the leg muscles. Our practice follows a specific order of operations: développé, curl up, extend, hold, and a controlled exhale as you lower. This methodical approach builds the functional strength and muscle memory necessary for high, stable legs during center work.

We also emphasize the importance of the standing leg; a strong extension is only possible if the foundation is stable and elongated. Beyond the physical workout, this class covers the essential theory behind the movements, such as how to maintain turnout while reaching for height and how to use your breath to control the descent. Whether you are working toward a 90-degree extension or looking to refine your professional lines, this PBT session offers the targeted conditioning every serious dancer needs. Join our community and transform your technique through mindful, equipment-based training.