What You'll Learn
- Correct placement for passé and cou-de-pied to improve balance and turnout
- How to use floor friction to strengthen feet and articulate through tendu and dégagé
- Strategies for maintaining hip control and core stability during leg extensions
- The mechanics of a controlled fondu for fluid movement and weight transitions
- Proper alignment and posture to prevent injury and enhance aesthetic line
About This Video
Refining your ballet technique requires a commitment to the fundamentals, and this slow-paced follow-along barre from Broche Ballet is designed to help you do just that. In this 25-minute practice session, we step back from complex choreography to focus on the essential building blocks of classical dance: alignment, precision, and muscle engagement. By slowing down the tempo, you can focus on the subtle details that make a significant difference in your dancing, such as the friction of the foot against the floor during a tendu and the specific placement of the heel in a cou-de-pied position.
The class begins with a series of exercises designed to establish a strong foundation. You will work through tendu and dégagé movements, learning how to engage your inner thighs and calves while maintaining a stable, neutral pelvis. The instructor provides detailed cues on hip control, ensuring that your turnout is functional and supported by your core rather than forced through the joints. This focus on stability is essential for progressing to more advanced movements.
As the barre progresses, you will explore the mechanics of the passé and cou-de-pied. These positions are often rushed in faster classes, but here you have the time to ensure your knee is properly tracking back and your foot is correctly articulated. The session also introduces the fondu, emphasizing a 'melting' quality that requires immense control over the standing leg and a deep engagement of the hamstrings. By practicing these movements with such deliberate care, you build the muscle memory necessary for fluid, graceful transitions in center work.
Whether you are an adult beginner just starting your journey or an experienced dancer looking to clean up your technique, this video offers a professional approach to the barre. We emphasize the importance of keeping the knees back and the heels forward, ensuring a safe and effective practice that honors the traditions of classical ballet while making it accessible for modern students.
