What is port de bras in dance?

: the technique and practice of arm movement in ballet.
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What positions are used in basic port de bras?

In the execution of port de bras the arms should move from the shoulder and not from the elbow and the movement should be smooth and flowing. The arms should be softly rounded so that the points of the elbows are imperceptible and the hands must be simple, graceful and never flowery.
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What does the word bras mean in ballet?

Bras is a classical ballet term that literally translates to “arms.” Bras is often seen used with other terms like “port de bras.”
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What is Épaulement in ballet?

In French, épaulement (ay-pohl-MAHN) literally means “shouldering.” In ballet, it refers to the position of the shoulders, head and neck. It's used mostly in positions including croisé, ouvert and effacé in center exercises, though some schools, such as Vaganova, incorporate it extensively into barrework.
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What is a petit allegro?

Allégro in a female variation usually consists of petit allegro, such as quick jetes, assembles and beats combined with quick foot work. When a female dancer performs grande allegro, it is usually in the form of grand jetes, saut de chats and cabrioles among other jumps.
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Learn Perfect Arm Positions



What does En Croix mean in ballet?

croix, en. [ahn krwah] In the shape of a cross. Indicates that an exercise is to be executed to the fourth position front, to the second position and to the fourth position back, or vice versa.
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Why is port de bras important in ballet?

port de bras, (French: “carriage of the arms”), in classical ballet, both the general arm movements of a dancer and a designated set of exercises designed to improve the quality of these movements. The port de bras of classical ballet is meant to be a graceful and harmonious accent to the movements of the legs.
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What muscles are used in port de bras?

In fact, a simple sweeping of the arms from en bas through second to fifth position utilizes a host of muscles throughout the upper back and shoulders, including the trapezius and deltoids. When these muscles aren't engaged, otherwise pristine port de bras can appear droopy and weak.
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How do I soften my ballet arms?

Try: Sitting or standing in front of a mirror (this is to make sure you're preserving your technique), begin with your arms in fifth, making sure muscles are engaged and shoulders connected to your back slowly lower the arms to second position, holding for a second before returning to fifth.
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What does demi plié mean?

Definition of demi-plié

: comprising a slight bending of the knee in ballet.
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What is a Chaine?

: a series of short usually fast turns by which a ballet dancer moves across the stage.
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What does pas de chat mean in ballet?

Definition of pas de chat

: a ballet leap from one foot to the other in which the feet are drawn up and the knees are bent so that the legs form a diamond.
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What does croise mean in ballet?

Croise´ Crossed. The crossing of the legs with the body placed at an oblique angle to the. audience. (
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What is the dancer's muscle?

The iliopsoas includes the psoas major and the iliacus. This muscle is often called 'the dancer's muscle', because it is one that is used often as dancers flex their femur in an effort to create high front and side extensions.
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What is a saute in dance?

Sauté – A sauté is a jump from two feet which lands on two feet. Sometimes, it can be jumping from one foot back on to the same foot. Temps Levé – A temps levé is a hop from one foot to the same foot.
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What did the first ballet dancers always wear as part of their costumes?

In the earliest ballets of the 17th century, dancers traditionally wore heeled shoes. Men wore the costume à la Romaine, or tonnelet, a stiff, wired skirt of brocade or similar material, resembling in shape the modern tutu.
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What is a forced arch in dance?

forced arch: Weightbearing position of the foot in which the heel is lifted and the knee is bent with extreme metatarsal dorsiflexion. Graham technique: A modern dance technique developed by Martha Graham, based on “contraction and release” as the motivation of all movement.
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What are the hardest ballet moves?

En Pointe. The “en Pointe” technique in classical ballet is one of the most challenging to execute. In this move, a dancer has to support their entire bodyweight on their feet, which are fully extended.
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What does cloche mean in ballet?

En cloche is a ballet term that means “like a bell.” It is usually used as “battement en cloche“ which has the dancer going back and forth between battement front and back, passing through first position.
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What is a split leap called in ballet?

jeté, (French jeté: “thrown”), ballet leap in which the weight of the dancer is transferred from one foot to the other. The dancer “throws” one leg to the front, side, or back and holds the other leg in any desired position upon landing.
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