What You'll Learn
- The precise circular path of the arms from preparation to high fifth position.
- Correct weight distribution and heel placement in the tombé lunge.
- How to maintain a long spine and avoid rounding during forward and side cambré.
- Techniques for keeping the hips level and grounded throughout large upper body movements.
- Coordination strategies for timing the arm openings with the rise from plié.
About This Video
The 8th Port de Bras, often referred to as the 'big full circle port de bras,' is a sweeping and expressive movement that requires a sophisticated blend of coordination, strength, and grace. In this 4-minute instructional video from Broche Ballet, we deconstruct every element of this classical exercise to help you achieve a seamless flow between the upper and lower body. We begin with the foundation: the preparation. You will learn how to slide gracefully into a tombé position, ensuring both the front and back heels remain grounded while preventing the front foot from turning inward. This stable lunge serves as the anchor for the expansive movements to follow.
As you move through the exercise, focus shifts to the path of the arms and the flexibility of the torso. The arms travel through a series of precise positions—moving forward, to the side, and then back—before meeting overhead in a strong high fifth position. We emphasize the importance of timing; as you rise from the lunge, the left arm opens first, followed by the right arm reaching across to meet it. Throughout this circular motion, maintaining proper body alignment is critical. We detail how to keep the hips grounded and level, even as the body moves through a cambré side and back. You will learn to reach forward with a long, energized back, prioritizing length in the spine over the depth of the bend to avoid rounding the shoulders.
Technique in the 8th Port de Bras is as much about the legs as it is about the arms. Staying deep in your plié while transitioning into the lunge provides the necessary power and stability for the upper body's expression. By the end of this breakdown, you will understand how to coordinate your breath and movement to execute this 'big circle' with professional polish. Whether you are practicing at the barre or in the center, these technical cues will help you maintain the integrity of the ballet line while expressing the full range of the movement.
