The Arabesque

The arabesque: one of the most beautiful, delightful, and complicated parts of the ballet syllabus. Done correctly, it can be a joy to perform as well as to watch. Done incorrectly, it can cause injury and damage the line of the dancer. This video will illustrate the correct way to perform an arabesque, as well as strategies for preventing injury.

Nutcracker photos by Jack Hartin.

Disclaimer: Please only perform these moves under the instruction of a ballet instructor. Consult a doctor before beginning ballet or any exercise program.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• ballet
• class
• arabesque
• instruction
• technique
• Maple
• Youth
• Ballet
• Conservatory
• school
• of
• dance
• pre-professional

[cosenza58]

What a very interesting video, I wish more teachers shared their "secrets" to enable us all to improve our teaching practice.

[Lissbirds]

So the trick is to lift from the hip and keep the pelvis square and that will alleviate the strain on the back? I tried it and found it pretty hard to feel that "rolling" in my hip, but my PT says my psoas muscles are tight and that could be the trouble. I'm guessing that your method will take a little more hamstring strength to keep the leg lifted rather than rely on lifting from the lower back muscles.

It produces a great line, though, and I'm going to keep working towards it. Thanks!

[sierracasa666]

Da faq? How do you obtain that position I've tried?

[soyuncatacol]

@MimisaysRAWR- Yeah, arabesques are going to compress the vertabrae your lower back no matter what, but keeping the hips forward relives a lot of that pressure. :)

[MimisaysRAWR]

So you just want your hips very forward? I still think it stresses your back a bit. I was going from a first to a penchee. Please correct me if i am wrong. Pointe shoes in a week!

[Lauriefishbone]

I can't hold it like that on own strength.

[MrKLT1945]

@Karen1andKaren2 Sadly, as any ballet phsio/specialist surgeon will tell you, how much you can rotate the hip (turnout) for classical ballet is determined by Mother Nature. Almost no difference can be made to rotation with exercises. Surgery would do it - but then extreme mobility would = great weakness and no ballet career! It's a sad truth that one is born for pro ballet or not. Recreational ballet a different matter. Either way, forcing turnout is very counter-productive.

[Trebuchet1066]

Wonderful, wonderful video! Your anatomical explanation exceeds anything I got as a student & easily compares to my A&P classes in nursing school!!! Love your philosophy and applaud you for stressing the importance of dancing in the safest and most beautiful way! Using your methodology will allow these dancers to dance longer and healthier!!

[Tnotare]

This is one of the best technique descriptions and demonstrations that I have ever heard for correctly placing the leg in arabesque--thank you!

[Karen1andKaren2]

How exactly do you rotate the hip, though? I'm having trouble finding that...

[michaeljoseph63]

i bet pedo bear spend a lot of time here in youtube

[fallinloveromance]

little skeleton :)) so cute