Dance Terminology

4. Also called a toe touch jump in second position.
7. Originated as an English folk dance, in a 2/4 tempo.
8. A side stretch of the torso, with legs in 2nd position. [Horton technique].
11. A large, open fourth position in which one knee is bent (usually the front), and the other is straight.
12. Moving one part of the body, such as the head, shoulder, ribs, or hips, while the rest are immobile.
14. Also called a back bend.
15. The introductory / warm up portion of the ballet class, conducted while holding onto a ballet bar.
16. “Slide or glide”. A linking or preparatory step.
17. Shoulder shaking: alternating in a rapid motion.
18. Rising to demi-pointe while simultaneously
19. Step.
23. The gesture leg is extended behind the dancer’s body at 90° or higher.
25. In front.
26. An elegant smooth dance in a 3/4 tempo, with accent on the first beat.

1. A relaxing or arching movement.
2. A brush, hop on the opposite foot, shuffle and a step. This step is performed traveling backwards and alternates feet.
3. Step consisting of a step, shuffle, and a leap.
5. A slow pivot of the body while standing on one leg.
6. Springing into fifth position relevé en pointe or demi-pointe from demi-plié.
9. The hip of the gesture leg is at 90°, the knee is bent, and the foot is pointed.
10. Rapid tempo movements, often includes jumping steps.
13. Rotation of the torso around the pelvis. [Graham technique].
14. To hit the legs together, moving in and out of fifth position in the air.
17. A jump from two feet onto one foot in various directions.
20. “Changing the feet”. A vertical jump with a change of feet in the air (from fifth position front to fifth back).
21. Turn of the body.
22. the gesture leg into fifth.
24. Leap in which the forward leg is in parallel passé and the backward leg is in attitude turned out.[Horton technique].