Whew… this has to be one of the most difficult steps at the barre. Deceivingly simple in theory, this movement requires a ton of control and focus and people often overlook how complicated rond de jambes are. Yet, it is an exercise most dancers look forward to at the barre for its extreme versatility.
Meaning “rounding of the leg”, rond de jambes can be done à terre (on the floor), en l’air (in the air), in a jump, on relevé, done en dehors (outwards) or en dedans (inwards) or even in fondu/plié. The list goes on. It can be done at varied heights, at varied speeds, or varied accents. Throw in coordinating with the music and the upper body, rond de jambes are truly a meal of a movement.
How to do a rond de jambe?
Let’s break down rond de jambes à terre en dehors from first position ––
• Standing very tall, start with a tendu devant – brushing your working leg forwards.
• With both legs lengthened and without gripping the quad, hold your turnout as you move the extended leg to the side towards a tendu ala seconde position. Lightly tracing the toes along the floor in a quarter-circle.
• Continue the circling the leg all the way towards tendu derriere, now completing a semi-circle. This is the trickiest part as we tend to rotate the working leg inwards when we pass the back corner. Remember to stabilise your hips and rotate both legs outwards.
• From tendu derriere, relax the toes and push the heel forward back to first.
All in all, you should have traced a capital letter ‘D’ on the floor. As you continue, make sure you brush through first position at every rond, and imagine your rounding leg carving the space around you. The energy should never die in rond de jambes – aim to constantly grow and channel energy through each extremity of the body.
*Simply reverse the direction for rond de jambes à terre en dedans, reaching to the back first and circling inwards.
Tips and tricks ––
As the name suggests, it helps to picture drawing circles with the rounding leg. Here are some useful imagery you can use in class:
• Envision a face of a clock – for example with rond de jambes en dehors on your right leg, reach towards 12 o’clock, passing each hour till it reaches 6 o’clock and making sure not to cut any corners!
• Skim your pointed toes along soft sand, tracing an even bigger circle with every rond de jambe. This helps with keeping the weight centred, reminding you to lift through the supporting side and staying light and lengthened through the working leg.
• For rond de jambes performed at 45º or higher as in grand rond de jambes, picture gliding your lifted leg across a glass table. This would help to maintain turnout and height of the working leg as it moves smoothly through the positions.
Rond de jambes are challenging, but don’t give up! The most important thing is to open the hips and really create a connection through the space and floor. Once you’ve got that down, play with accents and musicality and enjoy the flow.
Keep training like a dancer and stay tuned for our tips and tricks for rond de jambes en l’air!
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