What You'll Learn
- How to define 'the corner' through precise hip alignment
- Techniques for positioning the femur bone over the supporting foot
- Using tendu exercises to build core stability and weight placement
- The 'pretzel feeling' and how to use oppositional force to stay centered
- Countering the weight of an extended leg by shifting the hip forward
About This Video
Finding stability in an arabesque can feel like a constant battle against gravity. In this Q&A session from Broche Ballet, we dive deep into the mechanics of achieving a steady balance away from the barre. Many dancers struggle with falling backward or losing their alignment the moment they release their support. The secret to a professional-looking line lies in understanding the relationship between your hips, your center, and the floor.
One of the primary concepts discussed is the idea of 'the corner.' In ballet, the corner isn't just a physical location in the studio; it is defined by where your two hip bones are facing. By aligning your hips correctly toward your working corner, you create a stable base for your turnout and your extension. To maintain this balance, you must focus on keeping your femur bone—your thigh bone—directly over your supporting foot. This creates a vertical line of support that allows the rest of your body to move freely without wobbling.
As you move into an arabesque through a tendu derrière, the weight of your leg naturally wants to pull your torso backward. To counter this, you must actively push your hip forward. This counter-movement is essential for keeping your center of gravity over your toes rather than letting it settle into your heel. Dancers often describe this as a 'pretzel feeling,' where the body is twisting and pulling in opposition to find a central point of stillness.
Mastering this position requires significant core strength and isometric engagement. Your abdominal muscles work to hold your shoulders over your foot, preventing the arch in your back from pulling you off-balance. We recommend practicing these holds for 30 to 60 seconds at a time. Start with a simple tendu to find your alignment before lifting the leg into a full arabesque. By consistently practicing these small adjustments in hip placement and weight distribution, you will develop the muscular memory needed to perform beautiful, stable balances in the center.
