TOUR in ballet is an acronym for the five basic foot positions used in classical ballet. The five positions are: Tourné (TOO-nay) which means “turned out”, Ouvert (oo-VARE) which means “open”, Un (OON) which means “one”, Relevé (REH-leh-vay) which means “raised” and Écarté (eh-car-TAY) which means “separated”. Each position is a part of the overall technique that is used to create the graceful and beautiful movements of ballet.
The Tourné position is the foundation of all other ballet positions, and it is achieved by turning out one’s feet and legs from the hip joint in order to achieve a specific alignment with the floor. This position helps to give a dancer balance, stability and strength while they are performing. It also helps to create a line with the body that looks aesthetically pleasing when viewed from any angle.
The Ouvert position involves one leg being extended outwards at an angle from the body while the other leg remains bent at a 90 degree angle underneath it. This creates an open position that allows for greater freedom of movement in order to execute turns or jumps more easily.
The Un position requires both legs to be straightened out from the hip joint and turned outwards at an equal angle from one another. This position gives dancers better control over their movements as well as greater stability when performing pirouettes or leaps.
The Relevé position requires both legs to be raised up onto pointe or demi pointe before being turned outwards from the hip joint at an equal angle from one another. This allows dancers to appear suspended in midair while they are performing certain steps or jumps, creating a stunning visual effect on stage.
Finally, the Écarté position involves one leg being extended outward while the other remains bent underneath it in order to create a wider stance than what is seen in Ouvert or Un positions. This wider stance allows for more powerful jumps and turns as well as greater stability while performing certain steps or movements on stage.
In conclusion, TOUR in ballet refers to a series of five basic foot positions used by dancers when executing classical ballet steps on stage. These five foot positions—Tourné, Ouvert, Un, Relevé and Écarté—are all essential elements of classical ballet technique that help dancers achieve greater balance, stability and control over their movements as well as create aesthetically pleasing lines with their bodies. Knowing proper technique for these five foot positions is key for any dancer wishing to master classical ballet.