Doing the Ballet Barre Work
Ballet is not a new form of dance,
but it requires a special technique that is highly complicated like
no other. To mention but one, the most recognized part of a ballet
training is the ballet barre work.
In ballet, the dancers start their
training in the classroom using a ballet barre for support. I bet
this idea of using a ballet barre work stems from the agreement made
by the top ballet teachers then when they agreed that barre work is
one of the most important, exciting part of the ballet class. Many
have said that this handrail allows the students of ballet to learn
proper placement while warming up the body for the ultimate action.
This, I think, is the main reason that the ballet barre work is
highly considered in a ballet class, with about two-thirds of the
class time spent on the barre work.
However, that sort of standard is
highly considered only for children. But for adults, it is required
in barre training that adults who do ballet should do barre work
before a performance to warm up the body, regardless of the time
that the class was taken. So even if the class was taken earlier in
the day, adult ballerinas are demanded to do barre work, and they
are also entitled to do the same after an injury or layoff for them
to get back into shape.
Speaking of shape, a number of the
professional ballet teachers believe that barre work opens up a new
outlet for the students to develop their bodies. Well, that’s
true! Working on a ballet barre is really where the training and
the forming of the muscles occur. It is for that sense that the
barre work is highly considered in the ballet world as the
foundation of ballet training. It helps the students to form, train
and strengthen their muscles that will be of great use during
performances.
But how can you get more from your
ballet barre?
The answer for that question is just
so simple. According to some ballet pros, what is needed in a
ballet barre work is but a sense of precision and depth. Students
should focus more on the legwork, including the arms and head to
perfect the technique. Also, concentration and enough amount of
energy are needed here. So when performing the barre work, you
should try to imagine all your bones in a straight line, and it is
very important that you feel and listen to the timing of every
exercise you make. When doing turnouts on the ballet barre, it is
highly recommended to imagine the turnouts starting from the ribs or
the inside of the body to the outside.
However, performing the barre work
can be difficult without knowledge of the basic moves. This is
basically where the idea of a good barre routine comes in. Well, in
the first place, it is very necessary to note that a ballet barre
work begins with a plie in first and second position. The plies
should be followed by a simple tendu series with plies and then
without. It should end with leveling the legs up and incorporating
faster combinations of lifting. It is important to note, however,
that to fully master the technique involved in the barre work, such
routine must be considered with enough repetitions. That will allow
your muscles to develop, preparing you for the ultimate pirouette.
That’s it!
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