What You'll Learn
- Understand the biological reasons why balancing changes as an adult.
- Learn how to negotiate with your nervous system to hold more turnout.
- Techniques for transitioning stability from the barre to center class.
- How to create a mental space that encourages physical risk-taking in unstable positions.
About This Video
Balancing is one of the most rewarding yet challenging aspects of adult ballet practice. In this Quick Tip from Broche Ballet, we dive into the biological and neurological reasons why maintaining a steady balance can feel more difficult as we age. As adult dancers, our nervous systems are highly tuned to prioritize safety and stability—essentially, our bodies are hardwired to keep us upright and off the floor at all costs. This survival instinct often conflicts with the aesthetic goals of ballet, specifically when it comes to turnout.
Turnout creates an inherently unstable position for the human body. Because your brain perceives this as a risk, it may subconsciously resist holding your maximum rotation to ensure you don't fall. To progress in your technique, you must learn how to create a mental and physical space where your body feels safe enough to take risks. During center class, you have the opportunity to challenge these instincts. Unlike the barre, where you might rely on external support, the center requires a deeper level of core engagement and focus.
Surprisingly, the center can be a more amenable environment for pushing your turnout. With fewer distractions and a total focus on your vertical axis, you can encourage your body to hold more rotation than it might normally allow. By understanding that your body is simply trying to protect you, you can use these techniques to negotiate with your nervous system, allowing for stronger, more turned-out balances. Whether you are working on a simple passé or a complex pirouette, these insights into body prioritization will help you find greater confidence and strength in every movement.
