What You'll Learn
- How to maintain a calm and comfortable mindset when moving away from the barre.
- Techniques for rolling through the foot and catching balance on relevé.
- How to use a 'baby fourth' position to stabilize weight placement.
- Practical exercises for pas de cheval, pendu, and fondu en pointe.
- Integrating playful movement and turns into your center practice.
About This Video
Moving from the stability of the barre to the freedom of the center is one of the most exciting yet challenging milestones in pointe work. At Broche Ballet, we believe that technique is the foundation for artistry, and this "Venturing Off the Barre" class is designed to help you bridge that gap with ease and playfulness. Instead of focusing on rigid perfection, this session encourages you to stay calm, comfortable, and present in your shoes, even as the exercises become more complex.
We begin by warming up the feet with specific exercises like pendu and pas de cheval to build strength and articulation. You will learn how to properly shape your feet and roll through your shoes, ensuring that every movement is controlled and supported. The lesson transitions into center work with exercises such as fondu and rond de jambe, where the focus shifts to maintaining balance and proper alignment without the physical support of the barre. These movements are essential for developing the core stability required for advanced pointe work.
A unique highlight of this class is working in a "baby" fourth position. This smaller, more manageable stance allows you to practice relevés and weight transfers in a way that feels safe and grounded. You will explore how to push your standing toes into the floor to create the necessary momentum for lift. We wrap up the session with a light, dancey sequence that incorporates jumps, turns, and the pas de bourrée, allowing you to experience the joy of movement en pointe. Whether you are an intermediate student or an adult dancer returning to the studio, this class provides the tools to build a resilient and confident center practice. Join us as we explore, play, and find our balance away from the barre.
