What You'll Learn
- Precise foot placement in arabesque relative to the head and shoulders
- How to maintain pelvic stability and an up and under alignment
- Techniques for turning out the back leg without compromising the knee
- Methods for keeping the chest wide and ribcage supported during extensions
About This Video
In this specialized Broche Ballet follow-along session, we take a deep dive into one of the most iconic yet challenging positions in dance: the arabesque. By utilizing a two-handed grip on the barre, dancers can find the stability necessary to focus purely on the mechanics of the back leg without the distraction of balancing on one arm. This class emphasizes the transition from a precise tendu back into a lifted, supported arabesque, ensuring every movement is executed with intentionality and grace.
A key focus of this tutorial is the placement of the foot. Many dancers struggle with the exact path of the back leg. Our instructor guides you through the process of aligning the heel directly behind the center of the head or finding that sweet spot halfway between the head and shoulder.
This level of detail helps in creating a clean line that looks beautiful from every angle. We also explore the relationship between the pelvis and the working leg. By maintaining pelvic awareness and keeping the glutes engaged, you can achieve a higher lift while preventing the standing knee from buckling during turn out.
Throughout the exercises, which include combinations of tendu, cou-de-pied, and fondu, we emphasize keeping the chest wide and the ribcage closed. This up and under feeling in the pelvis is vital for protecting the lower back as the leg extends. Repetition is the mother of mastery in ballet.
By slowing down the tempo, we allow the nervous system to map the correct pathways for movement. This session isn't just about a single exercise; it's about building a holistic awareness of how the body moves as one unit. We examine the turn in and turn out sensations to ensure the hip is operating correctly within the socket.
Whether you are working on your turnout or trying to stabilize your upper body, these detailed corrections will provide a solid foundation for your center work. Join us at Broche Ballet as we refine these essential movements through patient, focused practice.
