Back strength for arabesques?

Question:How can I make my back stronger and and have my back be straight or almost straight up with a big high arabesque?I always go into a penchee even at half way. I do alot of back ups, but when it comes to arabesques, thats another story for some reason.
http://balletbookstore.com/ballerina/pic...

How can i do that (and have her arches???)

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: How can I make my back stronger and and have my back be straight or almost straight up with a big high arabesque?I always go into a penchee even at half way. I do alot of back ups, but when it comes to arabesques, thats another story for some reason.
http://balletbookstore.com/ballerina/pic...

How can i do that (and have her arches???)

The arch is just natural. You can strive for an arch like that, and eventually if you work hard, you may come near to imitating it, but at a certain point, it comes down to a natural high arch.

For the back- our ballet teacher makes us do these, and they are unbelievably painful, but they work.

Lay down on your stomach with your legs together and directly behind you and your head and chest down.
Spring up, lifting your chest off the ground and the upper part of your stomach. Bring your arms en haut. Bring your legs off of the floor as well. The only thing touching the floor should be your hips. Hold for 25 seconds. Lay back down. Repeat.

Once you have done that many times, do the same exercise, but instead of bringing your arms en haut, bring your right hand to your right ankle and pull the leg up as high as possible. Remember to keep your legs and chest off the floor. Repeat, but with the left hand and left ankle.

Then do the same exercise with your right arm holding your right ankle and left arm grabbing your left ankle simultaneously. Your body should look similar to a box. Pull you legs as high as you can pull them.

Good luck!

try to strengthen your arch [backbends, etc.] and stuff

If you stand facing barre and put your hands on the barre with a flat back parallel to the ground pull your chest up, than go back to flat back, then arch your back to the ceiling...do this repetitively and you will gain strength. Hope this helps!