What does “Dedans, en” mean in ballet?
( ; 'inwards.') Inside movement. Circular movement where a leg that starts at the back or the side moves towards the front. For the right leg, this is a counter-clockwise circle. For the left leg, this is a clockwise circle. For example, in a rond de jambe en dedans , starting from first position , the foot first extends to tendu back, then moves to tendu to the side, and then tendu front, and back in again to first position. Turning motion in the direction of the supporting leg. In a pirouette en dedans , the dancer would turn to their right if their left leg was lifted, or vice versa. Opposite of en dehors .
See also
New to ballet? Read our ballet guide — history, the five positions, class structure and how adults can start.
Definition adapted from Glossary of ballet on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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