What You'll Learn
- How to distinguish between a head turn and a head tilt for superior technical control
- Techniques for maintaining eye contact and focal points during en cloche and center work
- Methods to prevent chin tucking and over-tilting in arabesque and high extensions
- The relationship between head placement and maintaining a stable center balance at the barre
About This Video
Welcome to the second installment of our five-part technique series at Broche Ballet. This 48-minute comprehensive barre session is dedicated to the subtle yet transformative power of head inclinations and épaulement. Proper head placement is often the missing link between technical execution and true artistry, and in this class, we dive deep into the mechanics of head motions, specifically focusing on the critical distinction between a turn and a tilt.
Many dancers struggle with over-tilting, which can disrupt balance and lead to a tucked chin or a broken line. We will explore how focusing on the rotation—the turn—naturally limits the tilt, ensuring a graceful and anatomically sound silhouette. The session incorporates traditional movements like tendu, plié, and ronde de jambe to practice these concepts in real-time.
We pay special attention to the arabesque and movements involving en cloche. You will learn how to maintain eye contact with a specific focal point to stabilize your center and prevent loss of alignment. By looking in and then up while maintaining a distant focus, you avoid common pitfalls like collapsing the neck.
Whether you are working on your allonger or perfecting your port de bras, these head positions are essential for advanced ballet technique. Join us as we break down these complex movements into manageable cues. Through the practice of these specific inclinations, you will develop the muscle memory needed to make sophisticated head movements feel natural, fluid, and integrated into your overall dance performance.
