ballet positions. In classical ballet, there are five positions of the feet. Every step a ballet dancer makes comes from these basic positions. In each position, the toes and knees are turned out.
dégagé. An exercise at the barre where a dancer brushes the foot off the floor into a low position with a fully stretched foot to the front, side, or back. Dégagés are typically quick, sharp exercises executed at a quick tempo. They are excellent for warming up the leg muscles and are also the beginning preparations for big jumps later in a ballet class.
pas de deux. A dance for two. A pas de deux involves intricate partnering skills, lifts, and turns that a male and female dancer perform together.
piqué arabesque. Stepping directly onto the point or demi-point (half point) of the working leg and lifting the back leg to a ninety-degree angle.
pirouette. A fully executed turn on one leg.
plié. A bending of the knees. A ballet dancer typically begins barre exercises with pliés from first, second, fourth, and fifth position and then uses plié to execute numerous other steps, jumps, and movements in the center.
rond de jambe. A circular movement of the working leg executed at the barre or in the center. Standing on one leg, the dancer circles the leg in either a clockwise or counterclockwise position.
tendues. An exercise at the barre where the dancer extends the foot to a fully stretched position, keeping the tips of the toes on the floor without putting weight into the toes. Tendues can be executed from first and fifth position to the front, side, and back at a slow or quick tempo.