What You'll Learn
- Correct placement for low fifth, first, and high fifth arm positions
- How to use allongé movements to create longer, more expressive lines
- Strategies for maintaining shoulder blade alignment and chest openness
- Integrated stretches to increase flexibility in the shoulders and arms
- Coordination of port de bras within center combinations like arabesque
About This Video
Refining your port de bras is one of the most effective ways to elevate your ballet technique from clinical to artistic. In this 20-minute center practice from Broche Ballet, we focus on the fluid transitions and structural alignment required for elegant arm carriage. The session begins with a focused warm-up, starting in a low fifth position.
We emphasize the importance of keeping the chest open and the elbows supported, ensuring that the movement originates from the back rather than just the hands. You will be guided through a series of flows that move through first position and out into an open second, where we practice the subtle allongé movement to elongate the line and add breath to your dancing. As we progress, the class incorporates more complex positions, including high fifth and the integration of the arms with an arabesque.
Proper alignment is a recurring theme; the instructor provides cues to help you keep your shoulders depressed and your core engaged, which is essential for maintaining balance during center work. This class is unique in its focus on shoulder flexibility. Many dancers struggle with tension in the upper body, which can inhibit the range of motion and make port de bras appear stiff.
To combat this, we have included specific stretches for the shoulders, arms, and even the hands. By relaxing the shoulder blades and lengthening the muscles of the chest, you can achieve a more relaxed and professional look. Whether you are preparing for a performance or simply want to improve your daily practice, these exercises offer a comprehensive approach to upper body technique.
By mastering the coordination of the head, arms, and torso, you will find that your center work feels more stable and your expression more authentic. Join us at Broche Ballet to discover how intentional port de bras and increased flexibility can transform your presence on the dance floor.
