What You'll Learn
- Learn to initiate pliés by rotating the quads toward the back for active turnout.
- Engage the gluteus medius to maximize pelvic range and hip opening.
- Maintain standing leg stability during développé devant by pulling the hip back.
- Use quad and knee alignment as visual cues to monitor turnout accuracy.
- Achieve consistent leg height and turnout in frappé and dégagé movements.
About This Video
Refining the mechanics of your turnout is a lifelong journey for every dancer. In this 49-minute Technique Barre class from Broche Ballet, we move beyond simple repetition to explore the anatomical drivers of rotation and lower body alignment. This session is specifically designed to help you move past "autopilot" and transition into a more intentional, muscle-driven practice.
Our journey begins at the barre with the foundational "turnout to bend" principle. During demi-plié and grand plié, the instructor emphasizes initiating the movement by rotating the quads toward the back of the room. This focus ensures that your turnout is active throughout the entire range of motion, rather than relying on the floor to hold your feet in place.
We then carry this awareness into tendu and rond de jambe, where monitoring the relationship between the knee and the quad becomes a vital visual cue for technical accuracy. A significant portion of the class is dedicated to hip engagement and standing leg stability. You will learn how to activate the gluteus medius to pull the knee open and reach the full potential of your pelvic range.
This engagement is crucial when moving through complex combinations involving cou-de-pied, frappé, and fondu. We specifically address the challenges of développé devant, teaching you how to pull the standing hip back to counteract the weight of the working leg, preventing the common mistake of buckling or dropping the pelvis. Throughout the barre, including su-su and arabesque, we focus on the concept of photographic consistency.
Whether you are performing a quick dégagé or a sustained balance, the goal is to maintain a professional line where the turnout and height remain unwavering. By the end of this Broche Ballet session, you will have a clearer understanding of how to use your quads and hips to create a more stable, powerful, and aesthetically pleasing ballet technique. With detailed instruction on weight placement and muscle activation, you will leave the barre feeling stronger and better prepared for center work.
