What You'll Learn
- Techniques for maintaining active turnout through the full range of motion
- Correct weight distribution in first position and during relevés
- Core engagement strategies to stabilize the pelvis and spine
- How to use heel swivels to enhance rotation within the hip socket
- Maintaining 'de la place' alignment during complex leg transitions
About This Video
Welcome to a specialized technical session at Broche Ballet. This 41-minute slow barre is meticulously designed to help dancers isolate and improve the turnout of the working leg. While many practitioners focus primarily on standing leg stability, this class dives deep into the mechanics of how we maintain active rotation as the working leg moves through space. By slowing down the tempo, this practice allows you to feel the nuances of muscle engagement in the hip rotators, ensuring that every movement is executed with precision.
We begin with foundational exercises in both parallel and first position to establish a neutral pelvis and deep core engagement. From there, we transition into slow tendus and dégagés, emphasizing the leading path of the heel. You will learn the importance of 'de la place'—maintaining your center and vertical alignment even as the working leg reaches its maximum range of motion. A key component of this class involves heel swivels and controlled relevés. These movements are essential for building the proprioception needed to keep the heels turned out and visible from the side, preventing the common technical error of 'rolling in' or losing rotation at the height of an extension.
The instructor guides you through sequences at mid-calf and knee height to challenge the stability of the hips and spine. By focusing on the transition between positions, such as moving from a dégagé side back to a closed position, you will learn to resist the internal rotation that often occurs during the closing phase of a movement. Regular practice of these turnout exercises can help improve functional flexibility and strength in the legs and hips, which is crucial for achieving a strong and balanced dance technique. Whether you are preparing for pointe work or looking to refine your adagio, these turnout principles are universal. Join us at Broche Ballet to build the foundational strength required for beautiful, professional lines.
