The Torso, Corps

Corps
Pronunciation: kawr
Translation: body

Many things have gotten lost in translation when it comes to port de corps or carriage/movement of the body. Misinterpretation comes from many cultures' blending, immigrating, and sharing information. Whatever you call the steps, the most important thing to remember is that the core might be the second most important thing in ballet. Engaging your core has to come from within the deep abdominal muscles and compress backward to stabilize the spine. One must do this while allowing flexion or bending the spine and shoulders. While there aren't prescribed positions of the torso and core, most teachers will refer to this as just alignment in which the spine is aligned or stacked correctly in relationship to the hip within the context of a step. 

Movements or positions of the torso

Cambré (port de bras back)
Pronunciation: kahn-BRAY
Translation: Arched
The body is bent from the waist backwards or sideways, the head following the movement of the body.

Ramassé, Ramassée (port de bras forward)
Pronunciation: ra-ma-SAY
Translation: picked up
This term is actually the second part of the movement, or the coming up from a bent over position.

Souplesse, souple (side)
Pronunciation: soo-PLAYS
Translation: flexibility, supple
Used in the Cuban technique for forwards, back, and side.

Corps de face
Pronunciation: kawr duh fahss
Translation: body facing front

Corps penché de côté (port de bras side)
Pronunciation: kawr pahn-SHAY duh koh-TAY
Translation: body bending to the side

Corps penché en arrière (port de bras back)
Pronunciation: kawr pahn-SHAY ah na-RYEHR
Translation: body bending backward

Corps penché en avant (port de bras forward)
Pronunciation: kawr pahn-SHAY ah na-VAHN
Translation: body bending forward

Épaulment
Pronunciation: ay-pohl-MAHN
Translation: shouldering

Épaulment Croisé
Pronunciation: ay-pohl-MAHN krwah-ZAY
Translation: shouldering crossed

Épaulment effacé
Pronunciation: ay-pohl-MAHN eh-fa-SAY
Translation: shouldering effacé