Level: Foundation I | Duration: 26 minutes | Equipment required: Barre, chair, or counter for balance, and a Yoga mat for floor work (optional).
Rond de jambe à terre is the phrase which describes making a circular movement on the ground with one leg.
This lesson focuses on how to do this step properly and on understanding the difference between turn out (the proper engagement of your muscles to hold your legs when they not in a parallel position,) and hip rotation (the openness of your hip joints.)
Done correctly and fully understood, this movement allows dancers to widen through the hips, feel the openness that comes with the legs rotating outwards, and master that critical element – proper turn out.
The Rond de jambe à terre will require the proper use of placement and battement tendu. Please make sure to review earlier videos covering these elements
In this lesson you will learn:
- How lengthening through the body and lifting the pelvis creates more space in the hips, providing the legs with the room to move more freely without locking in the hip socket
- How the use of the muscles in back of the legs which is essential for properly executing a Rond de jambe à terre
- To ensure that your hips, shoulders, and body maintain the correct placement throughout
- That the active engagement of the stomach muscles is essential to create the balance of energy between the legs and the upper body
- That ballet is indeed all about balance; energy moves in opposite directions and this balance allows you to dance with less tension and greater ease
Instructors: Hannah Mae Cruddas, Hiroto Saito, Ana Zamora
Required Skills:
105 – Tendu Front & Side
106 – Tendu Back (derrière)
113 – Coordination of Arms & Heads in Tendus