What You'll Learn
- How to maintain active turnout during center demi-plié and tendu exercises.
- Techniques for relaxing the shoulders and elongating the port de bras through allongé.
- Coordination strategies for balancing in relevé and holding a stable arabesque.
- Methods for engaging the core and inner thighs to find a consistent vertical axis.
- Improved hip control when transitioning between cou-de-pied and leg extensions.
About This Video
Elevate your daily practice with this efficient 10-minute center warmup designed by Broche Ballet. Moving away from the barre requires a heightened sense of internal stabilization and spatial awareness. This follow-along class focuses specifically on the dual challenge of maintaining a deep, active turnout while executing fluid, expressive port de bras. By working in the center, you will learn to find your axis and engage your core more effectively than when relying on a physical support.
The session begins in first position, utilizing the demi-plié to explore the rotation of the legs from the hips. As you move through the exercises, you will focus on the coordination of the upper body, using small circles and allongé movements to relax the shoulders while maintaining a proud, lifted chest. This integration of the arms and legs is essential for achieving the effortless appearance characteristic of professional ballet technique. We will also incorporate tendu movements to open the hips and prepare the feet for more complex weight shifts.
As the class progresses, we introduce relevé and arabesque elements to challenge your balance and control. You will practice lifting the back leg into a controlled arabesque, focusing on hip stability and the 'axis' of the standing leg. Through precise movements such as cou-de-pied and careful transitions, you will learn to squeeze the inner thighs and engage the deep rotators necessary for a secure center practice. This routine is perfect for dancers who want to maximize their training time without sacrificing technical depth. Whether you are prepping for a full class or looking for a quick technical tune-up, these exercises provide the foundation for better alignment, improved coordination, and a more graceful presence on the dance floor.
