Where Do My Arms Go?

Port de Bras (literally meaning, "carriage of the arms") is an important part of ballet; it adds artistry and grace to your overall movements.  Think of port de bras as the frosting that makes the cake look so lovely!

Elizabeth, at The Whole Pointe, has a very nice how-to/tips video for beginners about the ballet positions of the arms.  Some key things to note:

• There are different schools of ballet each of which use slightly different variations on 3rd and 4th arm positions. (The 1st, 2nd and 5th arm positions are generally the same across ballet schools.)  The 3rd and 4th positions that Elizabeth shows in this video are the ones we will use in our class. When in doubt, just follow the teacher!
  
  
• Port de bras includes a lot of "behind the scenes" technique and strength.  It may look simple and effortless, but it will give your arms, shoulders and upper back a good workout, and it helps improve your posture.
  
  
• Your arm movements don't just originate from your shoulder joint.  They involve the shoulder blades and upper back as well.
  
  
• The overall things to keep in mind are:  Your shoulders should be down and your chest open and broad.  Your neck should be long. Your arms should be softly rounded while at the same time extended.  Your elbows should be supported.  Your hands should be relaxed with the wrist supported.  Your arm movements should be purposeful, fluid and smooth.
  
  
• Your arm positions should never throw you off balance.  This is why the arms stay slightly in front of the body in bras bas ("arms low"), 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th positions.  This is also why arabesque arm positions counter-balance an extension of a leg.