What You'll Learn
- Correct coordination of port de bras during grand battement and adagio exercises
- Techniques for framing extensions with second position arms for a better line
- Maintaining upper back engagement and posture during forward-leaning movements
- Proper hip alignment and weight distribution when transitioning into arabesque
- Strategies for executing developing combinations with quick tempo and control
About This Video
Welcome to a transformative practice at Broche Ballet designed to elevate your foundational technique. This all-level ballet barre session focuses intensely on the artistry and mechanics of port de bras, ensuring your upper body is as expressive and controlled as your footwork. Throughout this class, Julie guides you through a full barre sequence, with specific emphasis on how the arms frame and support complex movements like the développé and grand battement.
The lesson begins with a focus on posture and alignment. You will learn the importance of keeping the upper back engaged and pulling up even during forward-leaning movements. This stability is the secret to achieving a graceful yet strong silhouette.
As we move into the adagio portion of the class, we explore the coordination of the second position arm to frame the leg during a développé, creating a picture-perfect line that radiates confidence. A highlight of this practice is the detailed instruction on grand battement. Often, dancers lose their arm placement when focusing on the height of the leg.
Here, we break down how a precise port de bras is crucial for maintaining balance and power. We also delve into the transition to arabesque, emphasizing the forward movement of the hips to maintain alignment and a long, reaching line. Julie’s teaching style emphasizes the why behind the movement.
You won't just follow a sequence; you will understand the physiological cues that make a movement successful. For instance, in the adagio section, we focus on the melting quality of a fondu paired with the extension of the leg, ensuring that the port de bras moves in harmony with the breath. We also touch upon the nuances of the first position and how to transition through it with fluid lines.
This class is an invitation to let go of tension and finish every exercise with the poise of a professional. By treating the barre as a tool for discovery, you will build the strength required for center work.
