What You'll Learn
- How to use the 'lat spread' to maintain a wide back and stable posture.
- Techniques to keep the ribs closed by correctly positioning the shoulder blades.
- Proper alignment for a classical second position and the allongé movement.
- Applying shoulder blade stability to improve control in arabesque and turns.
- Why correct alignment feels more challenging and how to navigate that physical shift.
About This Video
Achieving a professional ballet line requires more than just moving your arms; it starts with the architecture of your back. In this 12-minute Broche Ballet class, we dive deep into the mechanics of shoulder blade alignment and its impact on your port de bras. Many dancers struggle with 'popping' their ribs or lose the width in their back when transitioning through center exercises.
This session provides the technical foundation needed to fix those common alignment issues. We focus on the concept of the 'lat spread,' a technique that keeps the bottom of the shoulder blades wide, providing a stable and expansive base for every movement. You will learn how to maintain this width even in challenging positions like a classical second position or during an arabesque.
We specifically address the relationship between the shoulder blades and the ribs. By keeping the tips of the shoulder blades apart, you can more easily close the ribs, creating a flat, strong back that channels power through your entire upper body. This control is essential not just for aesthetics, but for the stability required in turns and complex center work.
Throughout the practice, we explore how proper alignment might actually feel more difficult at first, especially in movements like the allongé. This resistance is often a sign that you are engaging the correct muscle groups rather than relying on momentum or habitual posture. Whether you are working on your first position or perfecting a reach in arabesque, understanding these back mechanics will transform your grace and control.
Join us at Broche Ballet to refine your technique and develop the strength and awareness that defines a truly classical port de bras.
