What You'll Learn
- Techniques for transitioning from the barre to the center while en pointe.
- How to modify waltz and piqué steps to ensure better stability and weight transfer.
- The importance of hip alignment and 'up and over' mechanics in piqué movements.
- Ways to engage the inner thighs and core for improved balance during adagio.
- How to use linking steps like pas de bourrée to prepare for larger movements.
About This Video
Moving away from the support of the barre is a major milestone for any dancer, especially when working en pointe. In this 19-minute session from Broche Ballet, we focus on 'Venturing off the Barre,' providing you with the technical framework needed to move confidently and securely in the center. The transition from the stability of the barre to the open floor requires a shift in how we perceive our weight and alignment.
This class is designed to help you navigate that shift with grace and precision. We begin by breaking down the mechanics of the waltz step, emphasizing the importance of checking the hip and pushing through the floor to maintain balance. The instructor offers specific modifications, such as learning to 'catch the box' of the pointe shoe underneath you, which makes weight transfers feel more controlled.
By starting with smaller movements and gradually increasing complexity, you can build the muscle memory required for advanced center work. A significant portion of the class is dedicated to piqué movements. You will learn to visualize the supporting hip lifting the body higher, ensuring an 'up and over' trajectory rather than a downward collapse.
This approach is essential for executing piqués to the side without losing alignment. We also explore linking steps like the chassé and pas de bourrée, which are vital for preparing the body for more demanding poses such as the arabesque. Stability in the center is deeply connected to inner thigh engagement and core strength.
Through various adagio exercises and a final révérence, the instructor guides you in using your floor awareness to stay grounded. Whether you are working on a piqué turn or a simple bourrée jazzé, this tutorial provides the corrections and analogies like the 'truss ball' movement to help refine your technique. Remember, practice and patience are key when mastering pointe shoes off the barre.
Join us at Broche Ballet to build the strength and confidence to dance freely across the floor.
