Arabesque is a posture in ballet where one leg is extended to the back and the torso is forward and over the supporting leg in order to maintain balance. It can be performed en l’air (in the air) or à terre (on the ground). The leg should be stretch and the foot fully pointed. If the leg to the back is bent this is known as attitude. There are also certain arm positions used for this position 1st arabesque, 2nd arabesque and 3rd arabesque which I will explain in more detail below.
FIRST ARABESQUE
Legs: The weight is forward on the supporting leg with the weight predominately on the ball of the foot. The other leg is extended the back and it should be fully stretched pulling up from the knee and with the foot pointed.
Arms: The opposite arm to the extended leg at the back is forward with the other arm out to an open second position.
Shoulders: Both shoulders should be facing forward.
Torso: This should be forward over the supporting leg. The chest should be open and care should be taken not to twist the back and thus distorting the alignment of the hips. The chest should be open and pulled up.
Head: The gaze should be up and over the arm extended to the front with the chin lifted.
SECOND ARABESQUE
Legs: The weight is forward on the supporting leg with the weight predominately on the ball of the foot. The other leg is extended the back and it should be fully stretched pulling up from the knee and with the foot pointed.
Arms: The same arm as leg is now extended to the front with the other arm in an open second position.
Shoulders: Both shoulders should be facing forward with a slight epaulement of the front shoulder.
Torso: This should be forward over the supporting leg. The chest should be open and care should be taken not to twist the back and thus distorting the alignment of the hips. The chest should be open and pulled up.
Head: The gaze is now towards the audience looking over the arm that is extended to the front.
THIRD ARABESQUE
Legs: The weight is forward on the supporting leg with the weight predominately on the ball of the foot. The other leg is extended the back and it should be fully stretched pulling up from the knee and with the foot pointed.
Arms: The back arm is up with the front arm extended to the front also but lower. Care should be taken not to over cross the arms.
Shoulders: Both shoulders should be facing forward.
Torso: This should be forward over the supporting leg. The chest should be open and care should be taken not to twist the back and thus distorting the alignment of the hips. The chest should be open and pulled up.
Head: The gaze is up and over the extended back arm with the chin lifted.
At Balletic we follow the bbodance ballet syllabus which in turn uses the ‘Gail Grant Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet‘ for all of it‘s terminology. Diagrams may be different to what you are used to based on the school of ballet that you follow.