What You'll Learn
- How to engage upper back muscles to support high, controlled extensions
- Proper hip alignment in arabesque to ensure stability and balance
- Techniques for a controlled descent and recovery during a penché
- How to use demi-plié and cambré to prepare the spine for adagio work
- Visual cues for identifying common hip placement errors using a tutu guide
About This Video
In this focused 10-minute session, Broche Ballet explores the intricate relationship between upper back strength and the execution of a perfect penché. Many dancers struggle with the penché, often feeling as though they are falling forward rather than moving with grace and control. The key to unlocking a high, stable line lies not just in leg flexibility, but in the active engagement of the upper back and precise hip placement.
The class begins with a series of warm-up exercises, including demi-pliés and cambrés, designed to wake up the core and prepare the spine for deep articulation. Our instructor, Julie, uses a tutu as a visual aid to clearly demonstrate the difference between correct and incorrect hip alignment. You will learn why keeping the hips forward over the standing leg is crucial for maintaining balance as the torso tips forward.
If the hips pull back, the center of gravity is lost, leading to a shaky or unstable position. One of the most valuable takeaways from this lesson is the concept of 'calm' back engagement. This mental cue helps dancers engage the shoulder blades and the muscles surrounding the spine before the movement even begins.
By lifting from the upper back rather than simply dropping the chest, you create a seamless arc from the standing toe through the fingertips. Furthermore, we dive into the mechanics of the arabesque, emphasizing how the spine's curvature affects hip placement. You will learn to lift the front of the hip in your demi-plié to create a solid foundation for the subsequent extension.
This technical nuance ensures that your penché is not just a tilt, but a dynamic, powered movement supported by the entire body. Whether you are looking to increase the height of your leg or simply find more stability in your adagio work, these upper back and hip techniques are essential tools for every serious student of ballet.
