What You'll Learn
- How to maintain pelvic stability during a grand rond de jambe.
- The 'heel forward' technique to maximize rotation during an enveloppé.
- Methods to create a seamless continuation of movement between steps.
- Strategies to engage deep hip rotators throughout the leg's arc.
About This Video
Mastering the transition between a grand rond de jambe and an enveloppé is one of the most effective ways to challenge and improve your functional turnout at the barre. At Broche Ballet, we focus on the subtle technical nuances that transform a standard exercise into a powerful tool for building strength and precision. This tutorial explores how to bridge the gap between these two movements while maintaining a stable pelvic position and maximizing rotation.
The grand rond de jambe requires immense control as the working leg travels through the air in a wide arc. The primary challenge often occurs when moving the leg from the back (derrière) to the side (à la seconde). Many dancers lose their turnout at this junction, allowing the hip to hike or the knee to drop. To prevent this, focus on keeping the supporting side long and the pelvis level. As the leg arrives at the side, the work of the enveloppé begins.
The transition into the enveloppé is where you can truly find more turnout. Instead of thinking of the enveloppé as a separate, subsequent move, visualize it as a continuation of the rond de jambe’s circular energy. As the leg begins to pull in toward the retiré position, lead intentionally with the heel. By driving the heel forward and resisting with the knee back, you engage the deep external rotators of the hip. This 'heel forward' cue is essential for preventing the leg from turning in as the foot closes toward the supporting leg.
Maintaining a consistent pelvic position is the anchor for this entire sequence. If the pelvis tilts or shifts, the mechanical advantage for turnout is lost. Throughout this Broche Ballet lesson, you will learn to feel the continuation of the movement, ensuring that the rotation doesn't just stay static but actively increases as the leg moves through space. By applying these technical corrections, you will develop a more fluid, professional quality in your barre work and eventually in your center practice.
