What You'll Learn
- Techniques for maintaining a long lower back to stay centered over the box
- How to use upper body engagement and 'lifting the armpit' to stabilize piqué movements
- Three distinct ways to execute a clean descent from piqué arabesque
- Building the confidence to 'dance in your shoes' and trust your footwork in the center
About This Video
Stepping into the center for pointe work is one of the most rewarding yet challenging transitions in a dancer’s journey. In this Broche Ballet instructional session, we focus on a fundamental movement that serves as the building block for advanced choreography: the piqué arabesque. While it may seem straightforward at the barre, executing a piqué arabesque in the center requires a sophisticated blend of core strength, precise alignment, and mental confidence. This class is specifically designed to provide intermediate dancers with the technical tools needed to stay secure en pointe without the support of the barre.
One of the primary focuses of this lesson is the integrity of the spine. Our instructor emphasizes the critical importance of maintaining a long lower back while in the arabesque position. It is a common mistake for dancers to collapse or 'crunch' into the lumbar spine to achieve greater leg height, but this often causes the weight to tip too far forward, resulting in falling past the shoe. By learning to engage the core and lift through the torso, you create a stable center of gravity that allows your piqué to feel light and controlled.
We also explore the often-overlooked role of the upper body in maintaining balance. You will learn how to 'pick up the armpit' as you step up, particularly when transitioning to the right side. This engagement of the lats and upper back prevents the weight of the arms from pulling you off-balance. Furthermore, the class addresses the essential 'trust' factor. To truly dance in your shoes, you must commit to the placement of the box on the floor, allowing for a fluid movement from the tombé or chassé into the piqué.
Finally, we break down the artistry of the exit. The class covers three professional methods for coming down from a piqué arabesque, ranging from rolling down through the foot to turning out of the position. Mastering these transitions ensures your work looks polished and ready for the variations we introduce in later levels.
