The 7 Movements of Dancing

The seven movements of dancing provide fundamental dance terminology for beginning students.

• Plier: To bend

Plier describes the motion of flexing the knee or knees.

• Relever: To raise, rise, or lift

The dancer rises to the balls of the feet and moves into demi-pointe.

• Glisser: To glide

The dancer performs a motion that glides across the floor. From fifth position, bend the knees (plié) and brush one foot a few inches off the ground. Transfer your weight onto this foot. Slide the opposite foot into fifth position and bend the knees (plié).

• Sauter: To jump

A jumping movement. From plié, push off the floor. Point your toes, engage your leg muscles, and land in plié.

• Tourner: To turn around

The dancer performs steps that involve turning. An example is a pirouette.

• Étendre: To stretch

The dancer performs a stretching movement that involves lengthening the leg by stretching the knee, ankle, foot, and toes.

• Elancer: To dart

The dancer performs movements in a darting manner. An example is the step sissonne.