What You'll Learn
- Correct hand placement at the barre to facilitate stable rotations
- How to use the passé movement to generate speed and momentum
- Technical differences between quarter, half, and full turns en pointe
- Strategies for maintaining leg extension and proper alignment during turns
- The importance of breath and timing when releasing the barre
About This Video
Elevate your ballet practice with this specialized 35-minute pointe session led by Julie at Broche Ballet. This class is meticulously structured to help intermediate and advanced dancers transition from stationary exercises to the dynamic requirements of turning en pointe. The first 25 minutes are dedicated to a comprehensive barre, ensuring your ankles are warm, your core is engaged, and your alignment is precise before moving into the technical intricacies of turns.
The core focus of this session is the mechanics of turning at the barre. Julie breaks down the transition from quarter turns to full turns, emphasizing the critical role of the arms and the working leg. You will learn the importance of keeping the hand forward at the barre to maintain balance and facilitate a smooth rotation.
By mastering the passé position, you will discover how to generate the necessary speed and momentum without sacrificing control. Throughout the instructional portion, we explore how to land half turns facing the barre and how to execute full rotations with one hand for support. A key highlight of the class is Julie’s advice on when to let go of the barre.
Letting go at the right moment is essential for finding your center and building the confidence to eventually take these turns to the center of the room. You will also practice incorporating ronds de jambe and maintaining beautiful extension in your legs, ensuring that your turns are as aesthetically pleasing as they are technically sound. Broche Ballet encourages students to approach these exercises at their own pace.
Rather than worrying about sheer speed, this class invites you to focus on the feeling of the turn—the coordination of the head, the snap of the passé, and the grounding of the standing leg. With Julie’s expert guidance on breathing and technique, you will gain the stability needed to perform turns en pointe with grace and poise.
