What You'll Learn
- How to engage the upper back muscles to achieve a higher, more stable arabesque.
- The specific role of the opposite shoulder blade in spinal engagement.
- Techniques for transitioning from a cambré back into a full arabesque.
- Essential stretches to counteract back muscle soreness after intense extensions.
- A pyramid practice routine to refine your center work and foot articulation.
About This Video
In this focused 10-minute session from Broche Ballet, we dive deep into the technical nuances of the arabesque, specifically exploring how the cambré back serves as a catalyst for height and stability. Many dancers struggle with hitting a wall when lifting their leg behind them; often, the secret lies not in the leg itself, but in the active engagement of the upper back. We begin by dissecting the cambré back.
Rather than a passive arch, we treat this movement as a purposeful engagement of the muscles surrounding the spine. A key takeaway from this lesson is the activation of the opposite shoulder blade. By engaging across the spine, you create the necessary leverage to lift the leg higher while maintaining a beautiful line.
This cross-lateral tension is essential for a professional-looking arabesque that feels supported and secure. Transitioning from a cambré back into an arabesque requires a keen sense of muscle memory. You will learn how to maintain the lifted sensation in your upper back even as your torso moves toward a more upright or penché position.
We also discuss the crucial roles played by the glutes and lower back, ensuring a whole-back approach to your extensions. Working the back this intensely can lead to a specific type of soreness—one that the instructor describes as feeling almost like the flu. We address this directly, providing context so you do not feel alarmed by the physical feedback your body provides after a productive session.
To help your body recover, the class includes specific counter-stretches designed to release the spine and soothe the muscles. Finally, we take these technical concepts into the center with a pyramid-style practice. Here, we focus on the fabulous toes and the precision of the tendu, integrating our back work into a fluid sequence.
Whether you are practicing at a barre or using a home setup, this lesson provides the tools to transform your arabesque.
