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How to Do the Rond De Jambe in Neoclassical Ballet

Rond de jambe in ballet is a movement in which the leg is making a circular movement. It's a great exercise to work the hips and to practice your turn out. There are several different ways to do a rond de jambe. They include the foot work on the floor, the leg in the air, in reverse or only halfway around.

Instructions

  1. Ronde De Jambe

    • 1

      Place one hand at the bar, or other support, and stand in fifth position. This is your beginning stance. Stand with your legs turned out, bottom tucked in and back straight. Hold your free arm out to the side in second position.

    • 2

      Tendu--point--your front foot forward. Your foot should slide out moving from the ball of your foot to your toes.

    • 3

      Slide to second position then all the way to the back, keeping your toes pointed. This is one fluid movement from front to side to back. Keep your toes pointed and your leg turned out.

    • 4

      Bring your foot from the back, through first position and again to tendu (or point) in the front. When moving from back to front, begin the transition by coming off your big toe, to the ball of your foot, through first position with a flat foot, then to the ball of your foot again and on to your toes out in front.

    • 5

      Repeat Steps 1 through 4, several times (usually eight). The outward direction of the rond de jambe described above is called "rond de jambe en dehors."

    • 6

      Reverse by starting in fifth position with your working foot in the back. The reverse--or inward--direction is called "rond de jambe en dedans."

    • 7

      Tendu back, slide your foot to second position, front, through first position and again to the back.

    Rond De Jambe En L'air

    • 8

      Rond de jambe en l'air is the same movement as the rond de jambe on the floor, described in Section 1, except the leg moves in a semi-circle in the air.

    • 9

      Tendu, from your fifth position stance, to the front and lift your leg to a 90-degree angle.

    • 10

      Rotate your leg from the front, to the side and back. Keep your toes pointed and leg well turned out.

    • 11

      Bring your leg down through first position and up again, lifted in the air to the front.

    • 12

      Repeat Steps 1 through 4 and reverse.

Ballet

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