What Does Rond De Jambe en l’Air Mean in Ballet?

Ballet

Rond de Jambe en l’air is a movement found in ballet that is used to transition from one position or step to the next. The phrase is French and literally translates to “round of the leg in the air”. This movement can be executed by either the left or right leg and is considered a basic building block for many more complicated ballet moves.

When executing a rond de jambe en l’air, the dancer begins by standing on one foot with their arms in fifth position. From here, the dancer lifts their working leg up and around their body in a circular motion either clockwise or counter-clockwise depending on which way they choose to go. During this action, they should keep their working foot pointed while their knee remains slightly bent throughout the movement.

The height of the leg will vary depending on what position it’s being done in; whether that be pas de bourrée, fondu, or something else. The dancer should strive to keep their hips level as they lift and rotate their leg and not let them drop too low on one side or another as this can cause form issues further down the line.

The rond de jambe en l’air is an essential part of any classical ballet routine and can be seen in various combinations throughout any given performance. It can also be used as a way for dancers to warm up before performing more difficult steps as it helps get all of the muscles used for ballet activated and ready to go.

In conclusion, rond de jambe en l’air is an important element of ballet technique that every dancer should have mastered before attempting anything more complicated or difficult. It helps dancers transition from one step to another while maintaining proper form and balance throughout the entire motion. Mastering this fundamental step will help set any aspiring ballerina up for success when it comes time to learn more advanced movements!

Conclusion: What Does Rond De Jambe en l’Air Mean in Ballet? Rond de Jambe en l’air is an important element of ballet technique where a dancer lifts and rotates one leg around their body in a circular motion while keeping their hips level and foot pointed. It is used to transition between positions or steps, warm up muscles before performing more difficult steps, and provide dancers with a basic building block for more complex movements.