What You'll Learn
- How to stabilize the shoulder blades during complex arm movements
- Techniques for widening the shoulders in first and second positions
- Drills to engage the back muscles while relaxing the trapezius
- The role of breathing in maintaining an open chest and upright posture
About This Video
Mastering the upper body in ballet requires more than just graceful arm movements; it requires deep awareness of the shoulder blades and the back. In this 11-minute class from Broche Ballet, we dive into specific Port de Bras drills designed to help you understand and control your scapular placement. One of the most common challenges for dancers—especially those beginning their journey as adults—is keeping the shoulder blades from "popping" out or winging during transitions.
By focusing on the relationship between your elbows and your back, you can achieve the stable, broad lines required for classical ballet. Throughout these drills, we focus on the sensation of pulling the elbows down and away from the body. This action engages the correct muscles to keep the shoulders depressed while allowing the arms to move freely through first position, second position, and high fifth.
You will learn to keep the shoulders as wide as possible, envisioning the pointy part of the elbow rotating forward to create a rounded, supported shape rather than a collapsed one. We also explore the importance of keeping the chest open and using the breath to engage the posture muscles, ensuring that your port de bras looks effortless rather than tense. These exercises include specific shrugging movements to isolate the traps and understand the tactile difference between a lifted shoulder and a stable one.
We also practice the allongé movement, reaching out through the bottoms of the hands to maximize the length of the line. A unique aspect of this class involves tenting the fingers together to feel a deeper stretch through the chest while pulling the elbows back, helping you find the necessary resistance to keep the back active. By focusing on the space between the center of the ears and the tops of the shoulders, you can ensure that your neck remains long and elegant.
Whether you are working at the barre or in the center, these drills provide the foundational strength and awareness needed to maintain proper alignment during a simple demi-plié or a complex combination.
