What You'll Learn
- Practical strategies to transition from the barre to center work with confidence.
- Strengthening techniques for the ankles, core, and arms to improve stability.
- How to maintain rhythm and weight placement while walking and dancing en pointe.
- The importance of back and arm engagement for finding your balance in the center.
About This Video
In this unique exploratory class from Broche Ballet, we invite you to step away from the stability of the barre and find your inner balance in the center. "Venturing Off the Barre" is designed specifically for dancers who want to build confidence and joy in their movement without the pressure of achieving technical perfection. Whether you are dancing on flat, demi-pointe, or en pointe, this class provides a safe and encouraging space to play, explore, and discover your center of gravity. The transition from the barre to the center can often feel daunting, but this session breaks down those barriers by focusing on the feeling of the movement rather than just the mechanics.
Our expert instructor guides you through essential exercises that focus on the mechanics of stability. You will begin by finding your foundation through plié and relevé, learning how to engage your "strong armpits" and back muscles to create a solid, supportive frame. By focusing on the strength of your arms and shoulders, you’ll find that balancing in the center becomes much more manageable. The class covers various center movements, including tendu and dégagé, encouraging you to maintain a beautiful line while testing your weight transfers between different positions. We also explore working from a small fourth position (petite fourth) to find power in your relevé.
A key highlight of this session is the focus on "rhythm and groove" while walking en pointe. You will learn how to step onto a strong foot and maintain a consistent rhythm, which helps build the necessary ankle strength and proprioception for more advanced center work. We also explore weight changes and fondu to coupé transitions, teaching you how to quickly find your new standing leg with ease. The philosophy of this class is simple: it’s okay to use shortcuts as you find your feet. The ultimate goal is to feel beautiful, relaxed, and empowered. By the end of this 8-minute session, you will have a better understanding of how to use your whole body—not just your legs—to stay upright and expressive away from the barre.
