What You'll Learn
- The 'launch and ride' technique for creating fluid momentum in traveling bourrées.
- How to maintain vertical alignment and stability in first position en pointe without barre support.
- Integrating tombé, pas de bourrée, and rond de jambe into center combinations.
- Improving the speed and travel of your chaînés turns using body weight shifts.
- Strategies for finding your center of gravity while transitioning between positions.
About This Video
Moving your pointe work away from the support of the barre is one of the most exciting yet challenging milestones in a dancer's journey. In this 18-minute session with Broche Ballet, we focus on the technical transition to the center, specifically targeting the fluidity of traveling bourrées and the stability of first position en pointe. This class is designed to help you find your center of gravity and build the confidence necessary to dance unsupported.
The lesson delves deep into the mechanics of momentum. Unlike stationary exercises at the barre, traveling movements require a 'launch'—a concept that applies to everything from bourrées to chaînés turns. You will learn how to propel your body weight forward and 'ride out' the momentum through your feet, rather than relying solely on muscular force from the lower legs. This distinction is vital for achieving the ethereal, floating quality that characterizes professional-level pointe work. We breakdown the 'launch and ride' principle, demonstrating how a strong initial push allows your feet to move rapidly and smoothly beneath you.
Throughout the practice, we combine foundational steps into more complex sequences. You will work on combinations featuring tombé, pas de bourrée, and rond de jambe, ensuring that your transitions are as polished as your static positions. We also address the specific alignment needed for a secure first position en pointe in the center, focusing on the engagement of the core and the placement of the hips over the toes. By the end of this class, you will have a better understanding of how to use your whole body to facilitate movement, making your center work feel lighter and more controlled. Whether you are preparing for your first center pointe class or looking to refine your traveling technique, these exercises provide the structured approach needed for progress.
