What You'll Learn
- How to use side planks and clamshells to activate deep hip rotators
- Techniques for maintaining turnout during a passé and développé
- Ways to engage the core to support balance and upper body lift
- The relationship between glute strength and stable alignment in ballet
- Stretching strategies to improve hip flexibility and range of motion
About This Video
Unlock the full potential of your external rotation with Week 5 of our specialized Turnout Stretch and Strength series at Broche Ballet. This fifteen-minute session is meticulously designed to help dancers of all levels refine their technique by focusing on the functional anatomy of ballet. Whether you are working toward better stability in your adagio or more precise pirouettes, this class provides the foundational work necessary to excel in your dance journey.
Throughout this session, your instructor guides you through a progressive series of exercises targeting the deep rotators of the hip. We begin with a grounding warm-up and transition into targeted movements such as side planks and clamshells. These aren't just fitness exercises; they are essential tools for finding the proper engagement needed for a high passé or a controlled développé.
By strengthening the glutes and core, you create a stable base that allows for greater freedom of movement in the legs. Alignment is a key theme this week. The class emphasizes maintaining a neutral pelvis and an engaged core to prevent 'gripping' in the hip flexors.
You will explore how a strong side plank translates directly to better balance on one leg, helping you find that elusive 'lift' in your supporting side. The instructor provides detailed cues to ensure your spine remains elongated and your weight is distributed efficiently, even during challenging floor work. Beyond the physical conditioning, this class incorporates breathing and relaxation techniques to help you release unnecessary tension.
Understanding when to engage and when to soften is a hallmark of an advanced dancer. By the end of this workout, you will have a deeper understanding of how to maintain your turnout throughout various dance movements while preserving your alignment and posture. Grab a pillow for knee support and join us on the floor to build the strength required for beautiful, healthy ballet technique.
