Ballet is a classic form of dance that has been around for centuries. It is an art form that requires dedication, discipline and strength in order to execute the various movements and steps. Ballet moves are called by their French names and can be quite confusing to learn at first.
The five basic ballet positions are plié, relevé, tendu, dégagé and sauté. Plié is a bending of the knees while the feet stay in place. Relevé means “to rise” and it involves pushing up onto the toes.
Tendu is when one foot slides along the floor while the other leg stays extended. Dégagé involves a quick shift of weight from one foot to another. Finally, sauté involves jumping into the air with both feet.
Other ballet moves include pirouettes, which are full rotating turns on one foot; pas de bourrée which is a series of small hopping steps; grand jetés which are large leaps; and fouettés which are fast whipping turns. All these moves require strength, control, balance and flexibility in order to be performed correctly.
Pointe work is another type of ballet move that is done on the tips of the toes while wearing toe shoes or “pointe shoes”. This type of movement requires even more strength and control than regular ballet moves since it involves balancing on one’s toes for long periods of time.
Adage, or slow movement sequences, also play an important part in ballet. This type of movement focuses on gracefulness and elegance as dancers move slowly through various poses across the stage.
Ballet moves can be daunting to learn at first but with practice they become easier to execute correctly. Knowing their proper French names can also help with learning them quickly as well as understanding what each move looks like.
Conclusion:
What are the ballet moves called? Ballet moves have French names such as plié, relevé, tendu, dégagé, sauté and pointe work as well as adage for slow movement sequences. With practice these movements become easier to perform correctly with grace and elegance making them beautiful to watch.