Foundational Skills

Basic Body Positions

Variations of Straight Body Gymnastic Point (Tendu)

The gymnastic point is used mainly as a preparatory position derived from a Ballet Pointe. It is used at the beginning of a skill for presentation or momentum.

Verbal/Linguistic

Begin in standing stretch body position.
Place one leg in front, keeping the leg straight, and the foot pointed.

Visual/Spatial

Keep support leg straight
Keep head neutral


Logical/Mathematical

Arms are overhead and in line
Body makes a vertical line from fingers to the foot of the support leg
Keep hips square by keeping a straight horizontal line across the front of the pelvis

Bodily/Kinesthetic

Feel body weight on back foot
Feel arms touching ears
Feel the tightness in the thigh (quads) of back support leg
Feel torso tight in abdomen and in buttocks with rib cage lifted

Common Errors

Keeping weight over front leg
Front or back leg bent
Not keeping hips square
Bending support leg
Not keeping a straight line from fingers to foot of support leg
Arms not by ears

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