What You'll Learn
- How to visualize first position while holding the barre to maintain alignment
- The concept of 'latitude' to keep arms level during a balance
- How to avoid excessive forward motion that disrupts your center of gravity
- Subtle arm adjustments to improve stability in retiré and passé
About This Video
Finding stability in a demi-pointe balance is a fundamental skill for every dancer, yet it remains one of the most challenging aspects of barre work. Often, we rely too heavily on the barre or find ourselves displaced when we try to let go for a full balance. In this Broche Ballet "Quick Tidbit," we dive into a specific technical adjustment regarding your arm placement that can transform your stability during your next relevé or passé.
When balancing on demi-pointe, the alignment of your upper body is just as vital as the strength in your ankles. A common mistake occurs when dancers attempt to transition from holding the barre to a full balance: there is often a tendency to reach too far forward or move the arm in a large, sweeping arc. This unnecessary movement can shift your center of gravity, causing you to fall forward or lose your square alignment.
To correct this, our instructor suggests a helpful mental shift: imagine your barre arm is already in first position. Instead of a dramatic forward motion, focus on bringing the hand at the barre to the same "latitude" or horizontal plane as your working arm. This small, sideways adjustment ensures that your shoulders remain square and your ribcage stays closed over your hips.
By keeping the movement minimal and focused on proper latitude, you maintain the integrity of your vertical axis. This technique is particularly useful during exercises like retiré or passé at the barre. When you understand how to move the arm efficiently, you spend less energy fighting for balance and more energy on your extension and turn-out.
At Broche Ballet, we believe that these small corrections lead to significant breakthroughs in your dance journey. Whether you are practicing at home or in a studio, applying this latitude concept will help you feel more grounded and secure on demi-pointe, eventually leading to more confident center work and beautiful en pointe transitions.
