What You'll Learn
- Maintaining vertical alignment and posture without the support of the barre.
- Executing clean sous-sus and pas de bourrée with proper hip drive and core engagement.
- Correcting upper body positioning to prevent leaning and improve balance off the barre.
- Developing control and precision through slow and deliberate relevé and plié practice.
About This Video
Transitioning from the stability of the barre to the open space of the center is one of the most challenging milestones in a dancer’s journey, especially when working en pointe. In this Broche Ballet practice session, titled "Venturing off the Barre," we dive deep into the mechanics of posture and alignment required to maintain balance and control without external support. The foundation of successful center work lies in your verticality.
Throughout this class, we focus on the essential cues that keep your technique grounded yet lifted: keeping the hips driven forward and the ears aligned over the shoulders. Many dancers struggle with a tendency to lean forward or backward when they lose the safety net of the barre. We address these common pitfalls by breaking down specific movements like sous-sus, pas de bourrée, and bourrées.
By practicing these exercises slowly and deliberately, you will develop the precision needed to find your center of gravity. Proper core engagement is a recurring theme in this session. You will learn how to use your abdominal muscles to stabilize the torso, allowing your legs and feet to execute clean pliés and powerful relevés with ease.
We also explore the hip drive necessary for traveling steps, ensuring that your weight remains centered over your supporting leg. Whether you are preparing for your first center pointe combination or you are an experienced dancer looking to refine your upper body control, this class provides the technical building blocks for a professional-looking line. By the end of this practice, you will have a better awareness of your body's positioning in space, giving you the confidence to perform en pointe with grace and stability.
Join us at Broche Ballet as we step away from the barre and find your independent strength.
