Seven Movements of Ballet
Plier (pronounced plee-AY) Plié is a ballet word that means to bend. It is used to describe the bending of the knees and ankles. Pliés are one of the first movements learned at the ballet barre. It is the most critical step in ballet. Once mastered, it allows the dancer's to use the knees and ankles to absorb the force of the dancer's movements fluidly. This movement is what enables the dancer's to look so effortless and graceful.
Étendre (pronounced ay-TAHN-druh) Étendre in ballet means to stretch. In ballet it describes the stretching of the toe, ankle, and knee, which then in the Dancer having a results in a straight leg from hip to pointed toe. Tendu is stretching exercises that are typically performed after pliés. It's critical to building foot and leg strength on the dancer.
Glisser (pronounced glee-SAY) Glisser in ballet means to glide. In ballet glisser describes the sliding movement of the feet across the ground. Gliding the foot across the floor will help the dancer to propel the leg smoothly into extension and off the ground.
Relever (pronounced rel-UH-vay) Relevé means to rise. In ballet it describes the lifting of the heel off the ground to balance on the balls of the feet. The dancer may also rise to the tips of their toes when en pointe shoes. The dancer uses relevés to build strength throughout the whole body, it especially strengthens the foot, calf, and ankle muscles. The best part is when relever is executed correctly, it can look as though the dancer is floating.
Sauter (pronounced soh-TAY) Sauté means to jump in classical ballet. It is the natural next progression from the relevé. The dancer starts in plié, pushes up into the air, leaving the floor with toes pointed and legs extended. The most challenging part of sauté, though, is the dancer needs to be able to master landing softly and quietly. This movement takes a tremendous amount of strength and control to master, the dancer might take years to develop.
Tourner (pronounced toor-NAY) Tourné means to turn around in ballet. Tourner describes any turning of the body. The dancer can turn in place, across the floor, or in the air.
Élancer (pronounced ay-Lahn-SAY) Élancer means to dart in ballet. It refers to movements done in a darting manner. Specifically, dancer's elancer are movements done just along the surface of the floor. Dancer performs with strongly stretched legs and pointed feet, similar to jumping.
Want to learn the complete guide to ballet online at home on one website, check out our ballet glossary page. Much Love Jacklyn Dougherty and Dr. Joni Dougherty Ed.D
