This exercise helps students develop strength and endurance in their back muscles, particularly in the erector spinae. These muscles are essential for supporting the spine and maintaining correct posture in arabesque. The gradual progression in this exercise is critical to prevent strain or injury. It also ensures students develop their core and back muscles evenly, enhancing posture, flexibility and range of motion.

Preparation: Instruct students to stand at the back end of a mat with a fit ball placed in front. Legs should be in an externally rotated 5th position.

Steps:

1. Guide them to roll onto the top of the fit ball, keeping their hips towards the front.

2. Have them raise the working leg to a 45-degree arabesque. Then, lower it back to 5th position. Emphasise abdominal engagement and make sure they maintain the supporting leg's position throughout the exercise.

3. Repeating this movement twice more, they execute an echappé position to change legs and repeat.

Focus: Stress the importance of not allowing hips to slip forward beyond the ball. Remind students to maintain proper body alignment and core engagement for stability.