What You'll Learn
- How to use the standing hip to control and stabilize the pelvis in arabesque
- The nuances of maintaining a square back while allowing for a functional hip opening
- Finding opposition in tendu and dégagé to improve reach and stability
- Maintaining thigh rotation and heel-forward alignment during high extensions
- Distinguishing between square, facing down, and open hip positions
About This Video
Welcome to a comprehensive barre session at Broche Ballet designed to transform your back extensions. In this class, Julie leads a deep dive into the mechanics of a proper arabesque, focusing on the delicate balance between a square back and an open hip. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned dancer, understanding the pelvic stability required for this position is essential for achieving a professional line and preventing injury.
Throughout the 50-minute session, we emphasize that your standing hip is the true controller of your pelvis. You will learn how to keep the torso upright and stable, avoiding the common mistake of letting the pelvis tilt forward or 'go flat' as the working leg moves behind you. We explore various exercises starting from the floor with tendu and dégagé, where the focus is on finding opposition—reaching forward through the crown of the head and the bras while reaching back through the toes.
This opposition creates the length needed for a stunning extension. As we move into higher elevations like attitude and full arabesque, the class highlights the importance of rotation. Julie provides expert cues on keeping the thigh turned out and the heel visible to the front, even at the peak of your extension.
By practicing these nuances, you will build the functional strength and muscle memory necessary to maintain a beautiful, turned-out position in every movement. The class includes a full sequence of traditional barre work, including plié, relevé, and allongé, all tailored to support your progress in back-oriented movements.
