Ballet Terminology

In a Grand Plie’, the back should be straight, aligned with the heel and the legs are turned out with knees over the feet. As a movement, it should be fluid. It may also be in preparation for another movement such as a leap. Alyssa Ness demonstrates a beautiful Grand Plie’ for our post.

First Position: The balls of the feet are turned out completely. The heels touch each other and the feet face outward, trying to form a straight line. Second Positon: The balls of both feet are turned out completely, with the heels separated by the length of one foot. Similar to the first position, but the […]

An eleve’ is a movement in which a dancer rises up high onto the balls of the feet, or all the way up to full pointe, from flat feet. An eleve’ is simply a releve’ without the plie’. Alyssa Ness demonstrates a beautiful Eleve’ for our post.

A Demi-Plie is a half bend at the knees and should be done to two counts. It is the basis of everything you do in ballet. It is important to hold your back, shoulders and front straight. It is a good idea to face the barre when doing plies as this will aide in posturing. […]

A slide with both legs bent either forward, backward or sideways and meeting in the air straightened. It can be done either in a gallop (like children pretending to ride a horse) or by pushing the first foot along the floor in a plié and springing into the air where both legs meet stretched. Alyssa […]

A lift of one leg forcefully into the air, controlling the leg as it lowers back down to the ground. The torso must remain straight and stretched. Alyssa Ness demonstrates a beautiful Battement for our post.

‘A’ is for Arabesque An arabesque is a long, graceful pose made by balancing on the supporting leg while extending the free leg behind.