What You'll Learn
- How to properly engage the upper back using a specialized three-step cambré process
- Techniques to avoid lower back strain and 'crunching' during arabesque and penché
- The relationship between shoulder blade placement and chest opening for better lines
- How to use a slight forward lean to maximize upper back engagement and stability
- Practical drills for the barre to improve leg height and control in extensions
About This Video
Welcome to this focused technique session from Broche Ballet, designed to help you master one of the most elegant yet physically demanding movements in the repertoire: the penché. In this ten-minute tutorial, Julie breaks down the mechanics of the upper back to help you achieve a higher, more stable arabesque without compromising your spinal health. Many dancers struggle with crunching into the lower back when attempting extensions, but the secret to a professional line lies much higher up the spine.
At the heart of this lesson is a specialized three-step process involving the cambré. You will learn how to first find a correct cambré back by drawing the shoulder blades together and down, opening the chest without splaying the ribs. This creates the necessary engagement to support the weight of the torso as it tips forward.
By transitioning from a cambré back into a forward reach, you can feel the exact moment the upper back muscles ignite to hold your position. This sensation is vital for maintaining balance when you move away from the barre. We also explore the critical role of the glutes and hamstrings in stabilizing the standing leg.
As you move into your penché, keeping the standing hip over the foot is essential. Julie introduces concepts like the palm shake and counter twist to ensure that your alignment remains square and your energy is directed correctly. You will learn to visualize your arabesque with a slight forward lean, which counter-intuitively helps to engage the upper back more effectively than trying to stay perfectly vertical.
Whether you are practicing at home or in the studio, these exercises will give you the tools to refine your posture and increase your flexibility. By focusing on the reach rather than just the drop, you will find more space in your joints and more grace in your movements. Join Broche Ballet today and take the first step toward a more powerful, expressive penché.
