What You'll Learn
- Correct head inclinations and eye focus for foundational barre exercises.
- Mastering body directions and angling, specifically in écarté positions.
- Refining alignment and shoulder stability during cambré and tendu.
- Maintaining balance in susu while coordinating head and arm movements.
- Techniques for breaking down complex coordination into manageable steps.
About This Video
Welcome to Class #4 of our Technique Barre series at Broche Ballet. This session is dedicated to one of the most transformative elements of classical dance: head inclinations and body angling. While many students focus primarily on footwork, the carriage of the head and the angling of the torso are what elevate a movement from a simple exercise to true artistry. In this 44-minute comprehensive class, we dive deep into the mechanics of épaulement from the safety of the barre. We explore how to coordinate the eyes, head, and shoulders to create harmonious lines. You will practice specific sequences focusing on tendu and écarté, learning how to angle the body correctly without sacrificing technical alignment. We pay special attention to the placement of the body in space, ensuring your legs and arms are placed precisely along the correct lines.
A key focus of this lesson is the integration of head motions with classic movements like cambré and susu. You will learn the importance of keeping the shoulders level and avoiding the tendency to lift the shoulders when moving the arms, which can cause unnecessary tension in the neck. Instead, we emphasize the need to seal the shoulders to allow for fluid transitions in positions like écarté and allongé. By breaking down these complex coordinates into manageable parts, you will gain a better understanding of how your head placement influences your overall balance and center of gravity. We also look at the transition from tendu into shapes like passé and the coordination required to keep the hips square while the head tilts. Understanding the relationship between the supporting side and the working side is crucial during these exercises. Practicing these movements regularly will help you develop the muscle memory needed to execute complex choreography with grace and precision. Whether you are working through a tendu devant or finding your stability in a susu, this class provides the technical foundation needed for expressive performance. Join us at the barre and discover how subtle changes in your gaze and head tilt can completely redefine your ballet silhouette.
