What You'll Learn
- Mastering head placement to direct weight and improve balance during center work.
- Refining the pas de bourrée by sweeping the toe and maintaining consistent rhythm.
- Improving tombé technique by focusing on the contact between the pointe box and the floor.
- Developing a strong relevé by pressing the ankles forward to get over the box.
- Transitioning skills from the barre to the center for improved artistic expression.
About This Video
Finding stability away from the barre is one of the most challenging and rewarding milestones for any dancer practicing en pointe. In this specialized Broche Ballet class, we dive deep into 'Venturing Off the Barre,' focusing specifically on the intricacies of the pas de bourrée and its variations. Moving into the center requires a heightened sense of core engagement, precise alignment, and a sophisticated understanding of how the head guides the body's weight across the floor.
Throughout this session, we explore the mechanics of the pas de bourrée, emphasizing that balance is the key to fluid execution. If your weight distribution is off, one step will inevitably be faster than the next, disrupting the rhythm of the movement. We also address the critical role of head placement; by directing your gaze toward where your foot is intended to finish, you create a natural pathway for your body to follow.
This coordination is essential for maintaining control when you no longer have the barre for support. In addition to footwork, we refine fundamental movements such as relevé, plié, and tombé. When performing a tombé to the front, we examine the contact point of the toe, aiming to get the top of the pointe shoe box against the floor for maximum stability and a clean aesthetic line.
We also practice achieving a beautifully lifted heel in positions like croisé or quasi-front, which facilitates smoother transitions and better weight transfer. By focusing on pressing forward with the ankle during a relevé, you will learn to reach up and over the box of your shoe, ensuring a secure and strong stance. This class is designed to help you integrate these individual elements into cohesive combinations.
By the end of the lesson, you will have a better grasp of how to sweep the toe underneath the heel during a pas de bourrée and how to maintain your sous-sus alignment in open space. Join us at Broche Ballet as we bridge the gap between barre exercises and center artistry.
