Vaganova port de bras 3 

Thank you! Herbert the cat is very expressive. :)

Thank you very much. I am happy you like it.

He is. He's actually brown but likes to pose as a black cat in the right light. 😁

Неужели русский чел😱

Two great loves! Thank you :)

Eeeem....no not cute

I would assume so. 😊

He is always hungry! :)

As with so many things in ballet, both ways are correct. It depends what you teacher prefers. The more options you know, the better. I teach my students to roll up because a) there are so few opportunities to practise a flexed spine in ballet class, b) It's a good counter pose before the back bend, c) it's aligning the pelvis and the shoulders in a specific way.

@@HolisticBallet my teacher has us do both, too. She's says it's good for us.

So lovely again. Excellent. Thank you Madame. 🌹

Thanks for your comment. It is very interesting what your teacher told you. Did she also give a reason why? When I teach a regular back bend in the centre, in épaulement, I add a twist from the waist towards the audience. At the barre, I keep the back bend straight. In a circle port de bras in the centre, we start with a twist and then move into the straight back bend before coming upright. If students continue to 'circle' all I ever see is the shoulders getting into unsightly positions. I am happy you like the way I use my hands. It is interesting as many comments from Vaganova-trained dancers dislike them :) Generally, I'd hesitate to call any movements right or wrong in ballet. Every school, system, method, teacher, etc. have their own take, taste, and opinion. Important is to explain WHY one would do it this way or that.

@@HolisticBallet thanks for the reply! That all makes sense, and no she didn’t give a reason.