Beginning Ballet Blog #3

Beginning Ballet Terms 

Blog #3

Croise (with an accent over the "e): In this movement you cross your legs while your body is diagonal to the audience.  One of your legs at a time must be crossed in the front or back of the other leg.

Efface (with an accent over the last "e"): For this position, you stand at a diagonal to the audience so that a part of your body is to the back of you, basically almost hidden.  

  

Ecarte (with an accent over the last "e"): For this position, the dancer faces a diagonal at either one of the two corners of the room.You will then take your leg that is closer to the audience and keep it pointed or raised to second position while you hold your torso perpendicular. Your raised arm is determined by which leg you have extended out. You then slightly raise and turn your head toward your raised arm, so you look into the palm of your hands.  

  

Balance (with an accent over the last "e"): This position is basically all about keeping your balance. With your right foot in fifth position in front, you demi-plie, and then degage the right foot to the second position and jump on it lightly into a demi-plie, crossing the left foot behind the right ankle, With your head and arms to the right of your body, you then step on the left demi-pointe behind the right foot, slightly lifting the right foot off the ground, then land on your right foot again in a demi-plie.  

Glissade: For this position, you glide your right foot along the floor. Your left foot, then pushes away from the floor (a small leap) so that both knees are straight ad both feet are strongly pointed for a moment. You then shift your weight to the right foot with a fondu.  

Pas De Bourree: (with an accent over the first to the last "e"): Simple back side front movement. With your left foot pointed behind your right foot that is turned out, you then step out with your feet in second position and then you placed your right foot (pointed) behind your left foot with it being turned out.  

Positions of the Arms

Preparatory: The arms are slightly rounded, and held at the side so that your fingertips are just slightly touching your thighs.   

 

First Position: You form a circle with your hands in front of you, by extending the muscles in your back.  

  

Second Position: Your arms are simply extended out, still using your muscle in your back.  

 

Third Position: You simply move one arm up so that the palm of your raised hand is over your head, while your other arm is still extended out. 

 

Fourth Position: It's really similar to the third position, you keep the arm up over your head but your other hand is curved in front of you. 

 

Fifth Position: Your two arms are raised with both palms curved over your head.