You've nailed the basics of lyrical dance—those flowing arms, simple turns, and emotional expression that drew you in. Now what? Transitioning from beginner to intermediate means unlocking new dimensions of storytelling through movement. Let's explore the essential techniques that'll take your lyrical foundation to the next level.
1. Controlled Falls & Suspension
Intermediate lyrical lives in the contrast between surrender and control. Master these elements:
- Falling with intention: Practice slow collapses from relevé to the floor, maintaining core engagement
- Suspended développés: Hold extensions at 90°+ with dynamic upper body opposition
- Rebound recovery: Transform falls into immediate upward movement without "reset" pauses
Pro Tip: Visualize your breath as liquid mercury—heavy on the descent, weightless on the rise.
2. Multi-Directional Turns
Move beyond basic pirouettes with these rotational skills:
- Chaînés with level changes: Add deep pliés and sudden relevés during traveling turns
- Fouetté variations: Experiment with bent working leg versions or alternating arm shapes
- Turning jumps: Practice tombé pas de bourrée into sauté turns with controlled landings
Intermediate turns play with momentum and unexpected directional shifts
3. Layered Movement
The hallmark of intermediate lyrical is simultaneous upper/lower body complexity:
- Contrasting rhythms: Slow undulating arms with quick footwork (e.g., waltz turns with delayed port de bras)
- Isolation combos: Shoulder rolls during rond de jambe sequences, hip releases in arabesque
- Oppositional energy: Powerful leg gestures paired with collapsing torsos
Pro Tip: Practice movement layers separately, then combine at 50% speed before full tempo.
4. Advanced Floorwork Transitions
Transform basic rolls into seamless storytelling:
- Spiral descents: Controlled corkscrew falls from standing to floor
- Weight-sharing moves: Forearm stands into knee slides without hand support
- Fluid recoveries: Rise from floor using only core and one contact point
Try this combo: Tabletop → side roll → stag sit → spiral up with arms in fifth
5. Emotional Nuance in Gestures
Intermediate dancers communicate subtext through refined details:
- Micro-movements: Finger tremors, hesitant reaches, sudden releases
- Facial-limb connection: Eyes following hand pathways, breath synced with footfalls
- Dynamic textures: Switching between silk-like smoothness and broken, staccato motions
Exercise: Dance the same phrase expressing anger, then grief—notice how your movement quality changes.
Building Your Practice
Cross-Train Smart
Pilates for core control, ballet for turn precision, and contemporary for floorwork adaptability
Music Exploration
Interpret songs with mixed meters or spoken word to develop musical versatility
Improvisation Drills
Set 3-minute "word prompts" (e.g., "fragile," "volcanic") to expand movement vocabulary
Remember: Intermediate lyrical isn't about flashy tricks—it's about deepening your capacity for authentic expression. These techniques are simply tools to articulate more complex emotional landscapes. Stay patient with your progress; the most compelling dancers are those who move from their truth, not just their technique.
Now go turn that studio floor into your personal canvas.
