What You'll Learn
- How to stabilize the ribcage during devant extensions to maintain a long, neutral spine.
- Techniques for engaging the abdominal wall and shoulder blades to support adage and grand battement.
- Proper alignment and muscle engagement for controlled coup-de-pied and passé movements.
- How to apply the concept of extending up and over the standing leg to improve height and line.
About This Video
Elevate your practice with this comprehensive 43-minute technique barre class from Broche Ballet. In this session, we focus intensely on the structural integrity of the upper body, specifically targeting the common pitfalls of spinal alignment during leg extensions. As dancers, the natural tendency is often to crunch or collapse the ribcage when lifting the leg in devant positions.
This class provides the technical tools to resist that habit, teaching you how to pull the ribs in and through to maintain a flat, strong back. We begin with foundational tendu exercises, establishing the connection between the floor and the core. The lesson then progresses through complex adage and grand battement sequences.
You will learn how to engage the ab wall effectively, ensuring that your spine remains vertical and elongated even as the working leg reaches its maximum height. By focusing on the relationship between the shoulder blades and the ribcage—pulling the blades down to counteract the lift of the leg—you can achieve a more classical line that looks effortless yet remains anatomically sound. Special attention is given to the mechanics of développé and passé.
Rather than simply lifting the leg, we explore the concept of extending up and over the standing side. This mental shift, combined with precise corrections on coup-de-pied placement and turnout, helps build the control necessary for advanced center work. The instructor emphasizes that the spine should remain flat even during transitions, preventing the common wobble that often occurs when moving between positions.
Whether you are struggling with keeping your ribs down in arabesque or maintaining a straight back during high leg movements, this class offers the specific feedback and demonstrations needed to refine your form. Join us at the barre to transform your technique from the inside out, building a foundation of strength and grace that will carry through to every movement in your ballet journey.
