How to Improve your Arabesque

“I believe that we learn by practice. Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living, the principles are the same.” ― Martha Graham.

Even in the most experienced dancers, there is room for improvement! The arabesque is one of the most beautiful positions in ballet, but it can be difficult to get right. To achieve the perfect arabesque, it requires strength, flexibility, and a lot of determination from the dancer. Keep reading this blog post to learn more about arabesque leg exercises that will help you dazzle at your next dance class in Calgary!

No matter how you get into the perfect arabesque, the back leg must remain straight and behind the body, while the supporting leg can be in plié or straight. To achieve the best arabesque, you’ll want to improve your back strength, leg strength, and flexibility and tune into your mind to work those muscles.

After you have properly warmed up, practice your arabesque using a barre or chair for stability. Standing with your hips square to your prop, point your toes and slowly lift one leg into the arabesque position. Hold the position for 10-15 seconds and then repeat the movement on the other leg. Regardless of whether you’re a dancer or not, it is one of the best movements you can do to improve your overall strength and flexibility.

Your glute muscles are very important in achieving the arabesque. The muscles will push your turnout and help you in standing firmly on your supporting leg. When you’re ready, move to the barre and stand with your body towards it with your shoulders and hips pressed lightly onto it. Double-check that your heels are aligned under the hips in a fifth position. Place your arms on the barre and turn your head towards the supporting side and do a tendu. That’s when you’ll feel just how much you need to engage your glutes to maintain a turnout in the arabesque dance move.

To prevent wobbling on your supporting leg, ensure that you are distributing your weight evenly. Focus on the ball of your foot, as opposed to your heel. You can pull back and save an arabesque that is too far forward, but you will have a harder time saving one that starts falling back onto the working leg.

Take your training to the next level by enrolling in dance classes at Alberta Ballet School, where you will learn everything there is to know about dance from our highly educated and qualified teachers. While we expect our students to adhere to specific standards established by the faculty in addition to the expectations of the art form, we also know how important it is to learn how to dance or grow your professional career in a fun, creative, and supportive environment. Whether you are interested in adult dance lessons in Calgary through our open division or even our professional division programs, every dancer can expect the same degree of thorough and attentive instruction to ensure your dancing aspirations are within reach.