Ballet Steps for the Young Dancer : Battement Tendu

 One of the first things a young ballet dancer learns is the Battement Tendu.  This step is defined as the stretching of the whole leg from the hip socket to the tip of the toe. Specifically, a dancer is to  required stretch 4 things to properly execute a Tendu: 1.) the instep  2.) the top arch of the foot 3.) the toes and 4.) the back of the knee.  By directing the dancer to push the arches out as much as they can, they also stretch the toes and back of the knee as consequence.

   To prepare the young dancer for the Tendu, she is first taught how to flex and point her feet while seated on the floor.  To emphasize the desired result of elongating the leg, we call the pointed foot "good toes" and the flexed foot "bad toes".  This trains them to push the arches out and stretch their toes.  To ensure the stretching of the instep, dancers are instructed to put their little toes on the floor.  This exercise is usually done with the legs together in front and the feet in a letter V. In Graham Modern Dance, this exercise is also taught a la seconde ( legs straddled on the sides)  but may be difficult for young dancers as this variation requires  good control of the pelvis.  As an alternative, we do Cambres (torso reaches ) towards side extended legs while the feet are pointed with little toes on the floor. Training for Tendus to the back is accomplished by backward leg raises with heel together in rest position.

Acts Manila Ballet Class at Breathe,  Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna doing "Good Toes...Bad Toes"

The first barre exercises for Tendus are done from first position.  Tendus are done  de cote (towards the sides) to give the dancer the feel of turn out before moving on to devant (front) and derriere (back). The movement of the tendu is initiated by the pushing of the arch of the feet out whilst pulling the knee back, pushing the heel  and keeping the toes on the floor as far as possible, As the toes reach their limit, they are pulled to fully point the foot up to the tip of the toes.  

( Updating the video, apologies)

Acts Manila Ballet Class at Life 'n Arts, San Lorenzo South, Sta. Rosa, Laguna doing Tendus

As the dancer advances, she is trained to do more complicated Tendus at the barre to develop stability for the combinations at the center of the class.

( Updating the video, apologies )

Acts Manila Intermediate Ballet Class at Life 'n Arts, San Lorenzo South, Sta. Rosa, Laguna doing Tendus

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