What You'll Learn
- How to maintain a square hip position for a cleaner arabesque
- Techniques for lifting from under the knee to increase extension height
- The mechanics of rotation to achieve a perfect attitude line
- Core engagement strategies to improve balance and stability during extensions
- How to use household furniture effectively for ballet conditioning
About This Video
Unlock the secrets to breathtaking back extensions with our Standing Arabesque and Attitude Conditioning class at Broche Ballet. This specialized session is designed to help you master the intricate mechanics behind two of ballet's most iconic positions. Whether you are practicing in a professional studio or using furniture at home as a makeshift barre, these exercises will challenge your strength, flexibility, and technical understanding.
The primary focus of this class is the arabesque. Many dancers struggle with achieving height while maintaining proper alignment. Our instructor breaks down the lift from under the knee technique, which allows for greater extension without compromising the squareness of the hips.
You will learn how to engage your core and abdominal muscles to support the spine, preventing common injuries and ensuring a stable, beautiful line. We also delve deep into the mechanics of the attitude position. Achieving a flat attitude line requires a nuanced understanding of rotation.
By focusing on the rotation of the knee around the heel and the placement of the femur in the hip socket, you can create a more aesthetic and functional shape. The class emphasizes the importance of the standing shoulder, showing you how it acts as an anchor to maintain square posture even during the most demanding extensions. Throughout the video, you are encouraged to exaggerate certain movements.
This pedagogical approach helps you feel the correct muscles engaging and ensures you grasp the underlying mechanics. We also cover transition movements like passé, ensuring that every element of your leg rotation is intentional and precise. Set up your space with a sturdy piece of furniture to hold onto and another to support your foot for targeted stretching.
This practical approach makes high-level ballet conditioning accessible to everyone. By the end of this session, you will have a clearer understanding of how to achieve height, rotation, and stability in your back extensions, elevating your performance to the next level.
