Barre work holds a pivotal role within ballet class, shaping your foundation as a dancer. It's here that you develop the essential skills of balance, movement, and the mindset of a dancer. The barre offers vital support, challenging your alignment, technique, and confidence. To establish a strong base, follow these five fundamental principles of proper posture, all of which originate at the barre.
1- Gentle Contact with the Barre
Avoid gripping the barre tightly; instead, let your hand rest lightly on it. Maintaining an appropriate distance is key. Fully extending your arm creates an undesirable gap, compromising your posture. Conversely, standing too close encourages leaning and dependence. Find the balance by allowing your hand to rest on the barre slightly in front of you with a gently bent elbow.
2- Lengthen Your Spine
Stand tall and maintain a straight posture. Habitual hunching can lead to discomfort in your lower back and neck while diminishing your overall grace. Begin by keeping your chin parallel to the floor. Correct rounded shoulders by lifting them up and back, releasing any tension. Visualize an imaginary string attached to the top of your head, gently pulling you towards the ceiling.
3- Smooth Plié
Avoid rushing through your plié. Swift movements sacrifice posture, leading to floppy arms, forward bending at the waist, and a protruding rear. When preparing for a plié, raise your arms slightly, soften the elbows, and bend the knees gradually. Mastering control over your plié will enhance your upper body posture. Ensure that arm movements remain graceful and composed, avoiding excessive wrist movements that may lead to sloppiness.
4- Elevated Elbow
Maintaining an elevated elbow is crucial for elegance and poise. Keep it at an angle without raising your shoulder blade. Try this: stand tall with your shoulders down, open your arms to the second position, and imagine a droplet of water rolling down from your shoulder, past your elbow, and falling from the tip of your thumb. The path of the droplet should create a seamless line. An angled elbow towards your hip disrupts this flow and impacts your port de bras.
5- Refine Your Port de Bras
Port de bras, the way you carry your arms during a step or combination, plays a crucial role. Transition through port de bras with proper posture, avoiding abrupt movements. As you move through the first position with gently bent elbows, envision holding a beach ball. Remember, your arm movements are equally significant as your leg movements; they should reflect poise and grace.
These guidelines serve as a foundational reference for practicing technique at the barre. While it may be challenging, particularly for beginners, with self-awareness and dedication, you can attain mastery of proper posture.
Source : the last dancer