Barre Terminology

Barre Terminology

Neutral Body Position

The most basic alignment for the body is legs is parallel, and hip distance apart, spine long, shoulders wide.This is a fundamental position in good posture and in many exercises. The core is slightly engaged, as are the lats to ensure the placement of the shoulders.


Neutral Leg Position

You might often hear instructors saying “Legs parallel and hip distance apart”. What we want, is a healthy line from the hip, through the knee, ankle and foot. This is the neutral leg position – the most natural, healthy leg position. However, since our bones, joints and muscles are all a little different, neutral leg position may not initially feel neutral for you. However, you want to work towards finding the most neutral leg position possible for your body.

Parallel Legs (Including Your Feet)

Parallel means that on both sides, hips, knee, ankles and toes are pointing directly forwards. I often use “second toe (the one next to the big toe) pointing forward” and “knees tracking over the second toe” as indicators to check the alignment through the leg. It is important that the knees and toes stay pointing straight forward in a parallel position.

Hip Distance Between the Feet

Hip distance doesn’t mean to place the feet under the width of the flesh of the hips – this position is too wide. Hip distance is placing the feet under the middle of the hip joint, which for most people means about 2 fists’ distance between the feet.

Parallel Foot Positions

Parallel Position, Feet Together
Parallel Feet, 2nd Position


Foot Positions with External Rotation

Hip rotation occurs at the hip, with no torsion in the knee or ankle. The knee, ankle and foot all remain in their parallel position. The hip is rotated to a comfortable rotation and is never forced. When the knees are bent in an externally rotated foot position the knees MUST still track over the second toe. This is for the safety of the joints. We mainly use 1st and 2nd position in barre classes.

Plié

Plié is a bending of the legs. Pliés can take place in all the above leg positions. It is important that the knees always track over the toes in pliés.

Relevé/Elevé

Elevé is a lifting of the heels from flat feet on the floor, lifting actively onto the full height on the balls of the feet (demi-point). The legs remain lengthened. A relevé is a rise to the demi-point from a plié.

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