Have you read our article on rond de jambes à terre? Well it’s time to take it to the next level! Literally. We are taking our rond de jambes from the floor, into the air!
Rond de jambe en l’air (in the air) consists of drawing an oval shape with the toe starting out in a second position en l’air, bringing the leg into retiré and then out to second again. These can be performed en dehor (outwards and away from the barre) or en dedans (inwards and towards the barre.) Variations include performing a single rond de jambe en l’air or a double, and the foot can be brought to the knee or the calf muscle depending on the exercise.
Rond de jambe en l’air en dehor (outwards and away from the barre)
Begin by taking the leg directly out with a battement a la seconde – ensuring that the heel is forward by turning out from the hips and inner thigh.
Let the the toes draw a path straight in to the knee, as if coming in to retiré – the hips and shoulders should remain square while the heel remains forward in your maximum turn out.
Instigating the movement with the heel, let the leg circle slightly forwards as it returns to the a la seconde position – feel the back of the thigh working as you take the leg back out to second.
Rond de jambe en l’air en dedans (inwards and towards the barre)
Same as en dehor, begin by taking the leg directly out with a battement a la seconde – ensuring that the heel is forward by turning out from the hips and inner thigh.
This time, let the toes draw a half-circle or oval to the front of the knee of the supporting leg, then go straight back out to a la seconde.
As before, make sure the hips and shoulders remain square with the heel forward, as well as feeling the back of the thigh working as you take the ronding leg out to second.
Tips and Tricks –
Square – Ensure your hips and shoulders are square to the front, try not to let them twist particularly when taking the leg out to second.
Turn Out – Use your natural turn out and avoid forcing your legs into over-rotation, have the leg in second slightly in front of the body (in line with the angle of your feet when standing in first position). This will ensure that you are gaining strength in the correct turn out muscles (i.e. hamstrings and backs of the thigh) rather than in the quadriceps and with incorrect hip alignment.
Pull Up – Make sure your shoulders are away from your ears, lengthen the sides of your waist, and soften your ribcage.
Strong – Maintain a strong straight supporting leg and avoid sinking into the hip, push your little toe of your supporting leg into the floor for extra stability.
Feet – When taking the leg out to second ensure that the feet are fully pointed, at no point should the feet be relaxed.
Keep practicing and soon you will be whipping your leg through the air in no time! Our rond de jambe series is not quite over, stay tuned for an adage favourite – grand rond de jambes.
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