What You'll Learn
- How to effectively engage the upper back muscles to stabilize the entire body during movement.
- Techniques for maintaining shoulders down without creating unnecessary tension in the neck or chest.
- The secret to using the barre as a tool for stability by driving the elbow down during a grand battement.
- How to maintain a wide back and open chest to improve balance in arabesque and relevé.
- Strategies to prevent the upper body from crumbling forward during jumps and dynamic transitions.
About This Video
In this comprehensive Broche Ballet Technique Barre session, we dive deep into the nuances of upper body placement. Often, dancers hear cues like "shoulders down" or "widen your back" without fully understanding the physical engagement required to achieve that elusive, graceful line. This class is designed to bridge that gap, providing you with the tools to build a strong, stable foundation from the waist up.
We begin by exploring the concept of the upper back being the "boss" of the leg. By maintaining a straight and strong upper back, you provide the necessary leverage for your legs to move with freedom and power. Throughout the barre, you will learn how to avoid caving in or letting the shoulder blades leave the ribs, which often leads to a loss of balance and aesthetic line.
A key focus of this practice is the coordination of the upper body during more demanding movements like the grand battement. You will learn how to drive your arm into the barre with the elbow down, effectively rooting yourself into the floor to counteract the upward momentum of the leg. This technique not only improves your stability but also ensures that your back remains wide and expansive rather than hunching forward under pressure.
As we move into arabesque and relevé exercises, the focus shifts to maintaining that width in the lower back and opening the chest. By keeping the shoulders stable and the back straight, you'll find a new sense of control during transitions and even jumps. Whether you are working on your placement in the center or refining your form at the barre, these principles of back engagement are essential for any developing dancer.
Join us at Broche Ballet to transform your technique and find the strength within your wide back placement.
