What You'll Learn
- How to initiate épaulement from the core for a more fluid and vertical head motion
- Techniques for maintaining a long neck and avoiding leaning during complex barre work
- The importance of pulling the legs into the core to support upper body extension in arabesque
- Strategies for keeping hips squared while executing expressive port de bras
- How to achieve a lifted, elongated posture in positions like passé and développé
About This Video
The secret to a truly professional ballet line often lies in the smallest details: the length of the neck, the angle of the head, and the fluidity of the upper body. In this specialized Technique Barre for a Long Ballet Neck class from Broche Ballet, we dive deep into the mechanics of posture and alignment. Many dancers struggle with "crunching" the neck or leaning the head during complex combinations, which can break the vertical line and disrupt balance.
This session focuses on correcting those habits through targeted exercises at the barre. We begin with a series of neck stretches and head movements designed to create space in the cervical spine. From there, we integrate these movements into traditional barre work, focusing heavily on the concept of épaulement.
You will learn how to initiate épaulement from the core, ensuring that your head motion remains vertical and supported rather than tilted. The instructor emphasizes maintaining a tall and elongated position, even when the legs are working through demanding movements like passé or développé. A key component of this class is the relationship between the upper body and the core.
When moving into an arabesque or performing a port de bras, it is essential to keep the legs pulling up into the core to maintain stability. By keeping the hips squared while the upper body moves fluidly, you achieve the "taller than your leg" feeling that characterizes professional ballet technique. This attention to detail ensures that your extensions look longer and your overall presence on stage or in the studio is more commanding.
Whether you are working on your port de bras or trying to find more freedom in your upper body movements, this class provides the technical corrections needed to refine your artistry. By the end of this 42-minute session, you will have a better understanding of how to use your head and neck as extensions of your core.
