A plié is a fundamental movement in ballet where the knees bend, helping dancers gain strength and flexibility. It forms the foundation for more advanced techniques.

Tendu means 'stretched' in French and describes a movement where the dancer extends the foot along the floor with control. This exercise is essential for developing precise and fluid leg work in dance.

Relevé involves rising from flat feet to the ball of the foot or tiptoe, an essential movement for balance and strength. It plays a fundamental role in many ballet techniques.

A pirouette is a graceful spin executed on one supporting foot. It requires excellent balance and control, making it a signature move in ballet.

An arabesque features a dancer standing on one leg while extending the other leg straight back, creating a long, elegant line. This position emphasizes balance and grace in ballet.

Pas de bourrée is a sequence of quick steps used as a transitional movement in ballet. It helps dancers shift their weight smoothly between positions.

Grand battement is a dramatic movement involving a high, forceful extension of the leg. It showcases both strength and flexibility, which are critical in ballet.

Sauté, meaning 'jump' in French, involves both feet leaving the floor at the same time. It is a fundamental move that forms the basis for more complex jumps in dance.

Dancing en pointe involves balancing on the very tips of the toes with specially designed shoes. This technique requires significant strength, balance, and precise control.

An assemblé is a jump where the dancer takes off from one foot, brings the other to meet it in mid-air, and lands with both feet together. This movement demands precise timing and coordination.

Port de bras, meaning 'carry of the arms', involves smooth and expressive arm movements. It is integral in conveying emotion and complementing the lines of the body in dance.

Adagio denotes slow, graceful, and controlled movements in ballet. It allows dancers to focus on balance and precision, contrasting with the energy of faster sections.

A fouetté turn involves a rapid, whipping motion of the extended leg during a pirouette. This advanced turn requires strong core control and precise timing.

Glissade is a sliding movement that connects steps smoothly in dance. It derives its name from the French word 'glisser', meaning to glide.

Jeté, which means 'thrown' in French, refers to a dynamic leap where the dancer appears to project one leg into the air. This move highlights both athleticism and artistry in ballet.

Entrechat is a challenging ballet jump where the dancer quickly crosses their legs in mid-air. This move requires exceptional agility and coordination, marking it as an advanced technique.

Retiré is a position in which the dancer lifts the working leg so that its toe touches or nears the supporting knee. This position is crucial for executing turns and refined movements in ballet.

A grand jeté is a spectacular, long leap where the dancer achieves a full split in mid-air, covering significant distance. This distinguishes it from a standard jeté, which is generally shorter and less dramatic.

Développé involves slowly lifting the leg and extending it into a full line, showcasing control and elegance. It is essential for creating smooth transitions and beautiful lines in choreography.

A chassé is characterized by rapid, gliding steps where one foot literally 'chases' the other. This step is fundamental in jazz and tap dance for maintaining rhythm and fluidity while moving across the stage.