This exercise is designed to enhance dancers' proprioception, enabling them to achieve a pure arabesque line. Utilising a resistance band as a supportive sling, this exercise focuses on preventing the lower back from crunching and encourages lifting from the supporting side. This is crucial for achieving purity of line and balance in arabesque, essential elements in ballet technique.

Preparation:

Instruct the student to stand on the centre of the band with the left foot, cross the band in the hands, and then step the right leg over the band. The band should then be brought into the right hand and held between the thumb and middle finger. This setup ensures the resistance band is positioned correctly to provide the necessary support.

Steps:

1. Have the student begin standing on the right leg, performing a dégagé derrière with the left leg while maintaining the port de bras in a low arabesque line. Guide them to coordinate the lift of the working leg, arm, head, and right side of the body simultaneously into a pure arabesque line.

2. Emphasise the importance of a controlled fondu (plié) during recovery and lowering the leg slowly.

3. Gradually increase the repetitions to 4 sets before relaxing and switching to the alternate side.

Focus:

Stress the significance of maintaining alignment and balance, particularly the engagement of the core and the supporting leg to stabilise the arabesque position.