What Does Soutenu Mean in Ballet?

Ballet

In ballet, soutenu is a movement in which a dancer on one leg lifts the other leg, turns the body and then places the leg back down. This movement is often done in sequences of jumps, turns and other steps. It can be used to add interest to a routine or to transition between different steps.

Soutenu is an important element of ballet technique. The dancer must maintain poise and balance while executing the movements.

To achieve this, they must keep their weight balanced over the standing leg and tense their muscles to keep their body upright. The dancer must also focus on their coordination as they lift their legs and turn.

The soutenu movement can be done with either foot leading or both feet together. When doing a series of soutenus with one foot leading, the dancer will alternate which foot leads each time, allowing for variety in the routine. When doing soutenus with both feet together, the dancer will typically rotate their body more than when doing it with one foot leading.

Soutenu can also be used as part of larger jumps such as cabrioles or entrechats. In these jumps, the dancer will execute a soutenu before taking off into a jump or switch position midair. This helps them stay balanced and coordinated during the more complex movements.

Learning how to do soutenu correctly is essential for any aspiring ballet dancer. It takes practice and dedication to master this difficult move but once it has been mastered it can be used to add interest and variety to any routine.

Conclusion:

So what does soutenu mean in ballet? It is an important movement that requires poise, balance and coordination from dancers.

Soutenus are often used in sequences of jumps, turns and other steps within routines or as part of larger jumps such as cabrioles or entrechats. Learning how to do soutenus correctly takes practice but it is an important skill for any aspiring ballet dancer.