What You'll Learn
- A step-by-step mechanical breakdown of the rond de jambe en l'air movement.
- How to transition seamlessly between attitude and coupé positions.
- Strategies for maintaining turnout and alignment during grand battement.
- Coordination of arm movements with complex leg combinations.
- Techniques for improving timing and control in développé and fondu exercises.
About This Video
Welcome to a comprehensive beginner ballet barre session designed to demystify one of the more intricate movements in a dancer's vocabulary: the rond de jambe en l'air. At Broche Ballet, we believe that a strong foundation is the key to artistic expression and technical excellence. This nearly hour-long class provides the space and guidance needed to truly understand the mechanics of lifting and rotating the leg with grace and control.
The lesson begins with a review of foundational principles, ensuring your alignment and turnout are secure before moving into specialized combinations. The primary focus of this session is the breakdown of the rond de jambe en l'air. This movement requires a sophisticated blend of stability in the standing leg and fluid precision in the working leg.
You will learn how to transition from an attitude position back into a clean coupé, emphasizing the circular path the toe takes in the air. We address common challenges, such as maintaining height while ensuring the movement remains en dehors (outward) or en dedans (inward). Beyond the rond de jambe, this class integrates essential ballet exercises to round out your training.
We dive into the mechanics of the développé front and side, focusing on the strength required to extend the leg through a high passé. To build power and range of motion, the session includes grand battement exercises. These large, throwing movements of the leg are paired with specific arm pathways to improve coordination and timing.
You will practice keeping the arms fluid—lifting when the body rises and opening gracefully as you return to a plié or neutral position. Throughout the class, our instructor provides detailed feedback and corrections, just as if you were in a live studio. Whether you are practicing at home or in a studio, this session will help you cultivate the discipline and mindfulness required for classical ballet.
By the end of this practice, you will have a deeper understanding of how to manage weight and energy to execute complex leg movements with ease.
