Focus Class 1 – Senior Level: Upper Body & Port de Bras, guided by Ella Roper, is a full-body session with a specific focus on upper body coordination, spinal mobility, and artistry in port de bras.

Throughout this class, dancers will explore the full range of spinal movements: flexion, extension, lateral bending, and rotation. The aim is to strengthen and refine the connection between the core, back, and arms, so that the upper body can support both technical clarity and artistic expression.

Exercises such as Shoulder Stability guide dancers to initiate arm movements from the torso and back, instead of solely focusing on the arms, while maintaining proper rib and shoulder blade alignment. Another exercise, titled Sideways Bend Activation, focuses on strengthening the obliques to improve balance and control in upper body movements and épaulement.

Tips

Emphasise the importance of core engagement, especially in cambres. Encourage students to distribute the movement across the entire spine, not just the lower back.

In épaulement, remind dancers to check that the back arm doesn’t rotate inward—this often happens when the spiral starts from the arms rather than the spine.

Teach students to coordinate their breath with the movement. Deep, conscious breathing helps regulate spinal and rib alignment and prevents tension during transitions.