By Cristina Michaels 

This is a little helpful glossary. These terms are meant to bridge the communication between student and teacher.  

Turn out – In many American applied techniques encourage forcing rotation.  If taught poorly it could be considered abuse! Six rotators the size of your pinky are responsible for this rotational action.  All are located up in your hip complex. 

Devant – Front

Derriere – Back – Arabesque

Second – Side – a la seconde

Front – Side – Back – Side = En Croix

Arabesque – To the back – Derriere

En dedan – Inward – Pertaining to Ronde jambe and turns

En dehors – Outward – Pertaining to Ronde jambe and turns

Demi Plie – also known as plie – terms like “softer” “smoother” “fluid” are great terms used around the demi plie.

Tendu: May mean or translate “to stretch,” yet the deeper understanding is to “lengthen” and “reach”  are good analogies for the term tendu. 

Degage: Is meant to disengage from the floor, yet the action is the derivative of many  ballet maneuvers.  Degage can have a  short or long intention.    Degage “jete” another term to become familiar with too.  That would be a jete’d out to its degage position in the air “en l’air”.  The lifting of that leg is initiated deep in the gut by the iliopsoas muscle group.  The terms lengthened, fluid, reach, still and held are all applicable to this step. 

Ronde jambe: This basic circle of the leg as a lesson in isolation, separation, in time mental juggling.   

A terra: On the ground or earth. “Keep it on the floor.”  Often young and old dancers will lift the foot slightly off the ground. 

En l’air: Yup on in the air.  This will refer to all and every height of the leg. From dégage to grande ronde jambe and beyond. Good terms to think about when the leg is off the ground. Lengthen, Lift, Elongate, Reach, Expand.  

En cloche: “Like a bell” these movements should be done smoothly with a fluid movement.  Pronation of the  “cloche” foot. From the Back to the front should be caught early in the dancer.  

Musical Accents: These are often determined by the teacher, choreographer, artist, director.  Three to keep in mind are; Accent In, Accent Out, and Even Accent.

Iliopsoas: The primary flexor of the leg, responsible for lifting the leg off the ground. (flexor)

Quads: Straighten the lower leg. (extensor)

Hamstrings: Contract to flex or bend the lower leg. (flexor)

Quarter Pointe: Just off the floor

Demi Pointe: Half way up

Three Quarter Pointe: Up on your tippy toes