What You'll Learn
- Maintaining the elbow-forward, shoulder-back alignment in allongé movements
- Creating width through the back when transitioning through first position
- Achieving the correct hand and finger placement for an elegant ballet line
- Using internal resistance to create fluid, water-like arm movements
- Applying the midline rule to keep arm movements centered and proportional
About This Video
Elevate your artistry and refine your upper body technique with this dedicated center practice from Broche Ballet. In this 19-minute session, we focus exclusively on the grace and mechanics of port de bras, the art of carriage of the arms. Whether you are an intermediate student looking to polish your performance or a beginner aiming for cleaner lines, this class provides the technical foundation needed for fluid, professional-looking movement.
We begin by dissecting the fundamental positions, specifically focusing on the transitions between first position and second position. You will learn the critical alignment of keeping the elbow forward and the shoulder back during allongé movements, ensuring a stable yet expansive frame. A key focus of this lesson is maintaining width across the back, which prevents the chest from collapsing and allows the arms to breathe.
This structural support is essential for any dancer wishing to move with both strength and ease. The instructor guides you through the nuances of hand placement, an often-overlooked aspect of ballet training. You will practice keeping the thumb near the middle finger and the index finger slightly elongated toward the floor, with the pinky reaching up and back.
We also emphasize the midline rule—ensuring that your fingertips never cross the belly button line when moving through first to second position. We discuss the sensation of someone gently tugging on the inside of your wrist to help guide the arms into a perfect first position shape. To achieve a professional flow, we explore the sensation of moving through water.
This imagery helps dancers find the necessary resistance to make every movement look intentional and controlled. By engaging the muscles of the upper arms and back, you create a sense of weight and purpose in every transition. Join Broche Ballet as we transform your upper body movement into a beautiful, seamless flow of energy.
