What You'll Learn
- How to maintain fully straightened legs and active knee extension during barre and center work.
- The proper execution of foundational movements including plié, tendu, dégagé, and developpé.
- Coordinating arm placement and allongé with footwork to enhance musicality and expression.
- Mastering transitions like the tombé and pas de bourrée with correct weight placement and turnout.
- Techniques for improving balance and alignment in positions such as sous-sus and arabesque.
About This Video
Elevate your foundational technique with this comprehensive 60-minute session at Broche Ballet. Specifically designed for adult beginners and those looking to refine their basics, this class emphasizes one of the most vital aspects of classical dance: the aesthetic and functional power of straight legs. Throughout the hour, our instructor guides you through a deliberate pace that allows for deep focus on muscle engagement and proper alignment.
The class begins at the barre, where we explore essential movements including the plié, tendu, and dégagé. By slowing down the tempo, you have the opportunity to ensure your knees are fully extended and your turnout is engaged from the hips. We also incorporate foundational positions like cou-de-pied and developpé to build the leg strength required for more advanced choreography. Each exercise is designed to help you feel the length from your hip all the way through your toes, even during a sous-sus or relevé.
As we transition into the center, the focus shifts to maintaining that same level of precision without the support of the barre. You will practice combinations featuring the tombé, pas de bourrée, and balancé, learning how to coordinate leg extensions with the graceful use of the arms in allongé. This segment also introduces basic jumps and turns, focusing on the use of breath and musicality to find balance and control. We conclude the class with a traditional reverence, a final bow that honors the art form and your progress.
Whether you are a total novice or a dancer returning to the studio, this class provides the detailed corrections and feedback necessary to improve your posture and movement quality. By prioritizing the 'straight leg' concept, you will develop a stronger line and more secure technique that serves as the bedrock for your entire ballet journey.
