What You'll Learn
- Master plank variations to strengthen the deep core for higher extensions.
- Improve wrist and forearm resilience for safe weight-bearing exercises.
- Maintain active turnout and hip stability during dynamic movements.
- Techniques to bring the knee closer to the chest for more powerful leg lifts.
About This Video
Elevate your ballet technique with Week 4 of our specialized Planking Core for Extensions series at Broche Ballet. This 10-minute intensive is crafted for dancers who want to bridge the gap between floor strength and standing performance. High extensions like attitude front and grand battement à la seconde require an incredible amount of core compression and stabilization.
This class focuses on building that wrap-around strength through sophisticated plank variations. We begin the session with essential wrist and forearm stretches. As dancers, we often forget the importance of upper body preparation, but since this workout involves significant weight-bearing, ensuring your joints are warm is our first priority.
Once prepared, the class moves into dynamic planking. You will learn how to engage your transversus abdominis to pull your knee toward your chest—a movement that directly translates to the strength needed for a high retiré or passé during adagio. A key focus of this practice is maintaining your turnout while under tension.
It is easy to let the hips square or the legs parallel when focusing on a difficult plank, but the Broche Ballet method emphasizes maintaining your classical lines throughout. We incorporate down dog transitions and counter stretches to ensure you remain mobile while building power. By the end of this 10-minute session, you will have a better understanding of how your upper body and core work in tandem to support your lower body.
This stability is the secret to those effortless-looking, high-reaching extensions seen on stage. Join us for this fourth installment and feel the difference in your next barre or center class.
