What You'll Learn
- Master center floor sequences featuring tombé, temps lié, and pas de bourrée.
- Improve balance and stability using coordinated port de bras techniques for momentum.
- Refine your échappé and plié with a specific focus on timing and arm placement.
- Develop core strength and shoulder alignment for transitions like passé and sous-sus.
About This Video
Transitioning away from the support of the barre is a significant milestone in any dancer's training. In this Broche Ballet session, titled "Venturing Off the Barre," we focus on building the stability, confidence, and muscle memory required for center-floor pointe work. This class is designed to help students bridge the gap between barre exercises and fluid center movement, ensuring a secure foundation for more advanced variations.
The curriculum focuses on fundamental sequences that emphasize weight transfer and alignment. You will practice a specific combination featuring a tombé, followed by a temps lié and a pas de bourrée. By repeating these sequences and exploring variations—such as adding a second temps lié or reversing the direction—you will develop the coordination necessary to maintain turnout and foot articulation without external support. The instructor provides detailed guidance on foot placement, ensuring that your toes point in the direction of movement to maintain maximum control.
Upper body carriage is equally important in center work. A dedicated portion of the class is spent on port de bras exercises. You will learn how to use your arms not just for aesthetics, but as a functional tool for momentum and balance. We also break down the mechanics of the échappé and plié, focusing on the timing of the arms in relation to the legs. Maintaining high ears and low shoulders is emphasized to prevent tension and ensure a graceful, controlled rise en pointe.
Finally, the lesson covers essential transitions and quick footwork, including passé movements and sous-sus. You will learn how to keep your core engaged and your shoulders strong to avoid tipping over the leading leg during traveling steps. Whether you are refining your coupé or working on your alignment in various directions, these simple yet effective combinations provide the extra practice needed to feel secure and elegant in the center.
