What You'll Learn
- The 'gas pedal' technique to initiate and maintain foot speed in pas de bourrée couru.
- Strategic port de bras positioning to maintain a light, airy aesthetic without stiffness.
- Correct head and hip alignment to ensure balance while moving across the floor.
- How to use tombé and piqué to transition into and out of couru sequences with grace.
- The 'go and stop' principle for controlled landings and polished finishes.
About This Video
Elevate your pointe work by mastering one of the most ethereal movements in ballet: the pas de bourrée couru. Often simply called couru, these tiny, rapid steps can make a dancer look as though they are floating across the stage—or, if done incorrectly, they can feel clunky and stiff. In this 15-minute intermediate pointe class, Broche Ballet helps you transition from 'zombie-like' stiffness to effortless fluidity.
The secret to a beautiful couru lies in the coordination between your foot speed and your upper body. Many students struggle with the 'gas pedal' concept—knowing how to initiate the engine of the feet and then leaning the body slightly to maintain momentum. We break down the mechanics of the pas de bourrée couru, focusing on how the feet must follow the upper body's lead.
We also dive deep into the port de bras. Proper arm placement is essential; we discuss keeping the top arm back and avoiding excessive height which can break the line and create tension. You will practice specific exercises involving tombé, piqué, and cambré to build a well-rounded center practice.
A unique focus of this lesson is head positioning—thinking of the head as a 'pillow' that stays opposite the hips to maintain a perfect center of gravity during travel. Throughout this practice session, we emphasize the 'go and stop' principle. Learning how to bring your body straight up after a sequence of bourrées is what gives a performance its polished, professional finish.
Whether you are working on your third arabesque or a complex travel sequence, these technical tips will transform your presence en pointe. By the end of this class, you will have the tools to analyze your own movement on video, identifying areas for improvement in alignment and speed. Join us at Broche Ballet to refine your technique and move with the grace and control required for intermediate and advanced pointe work.
