How to Do the Tendu in Neoclassical Ballet

Ballet is beautiful to watch, whether you're enjoying a televised performance or attending a live show. If you've ever wondered how to perform certain ballet moves, you'll enjoy learning the tendu. This is a perfect ballet move to learn since it's taught to 3-year-old dancers just beginning ballet study.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Tendu Front

1. Stand a little less than arms length from a wall and place your left fingers lightly against the wall at slightly less than shoulder height.

2. Begin in first position. Stand with your heels touching and your toes and knees pointing outward. Stretch your right arm directly out to the your right side. Soften your elbow, and round your fingers forward.

3. Move your right leg in front of you, sliding your toes along the floor and raising your right heel off the floor. Lead with your big toe. Keep your left leg completely still.

4. Stop your right leg when you've stretched it as far in front of you as possible without moving the rest of your body. Your inner thigh will be facing the ceiling if your leg is positioned properly.

5. Slide your right leg back to starting position.

Tendu Side

6. Start in first position, slide your leg out directly to your right side, leading with your big toe.

7. Stretch your right leg as it reaches the final position. Make sure your gluteus is tucked in. Your right knee will be facing the ceiling if you're leg is positioned properly.

8. Bring your right leg back to starting position.

Tendu Back

9. Move your right leg behind your body while keeping the rest of your body still.

10. Stop when you've stretched your leg as far as it'll go, finishing on your big toe and tucking your heel under. The knee of your right leg will be pointing towards the right, and your right hip will be opened up slightly rather than squared off to the front as your left hip is.

11. Bring your right leg back to starting position, reversing the motion in Step 1 as you go.

Tips & Warnings

• Perform a tendu on the left side by performing the above steps while moving your left leg instead of your right leg.
• You can also perform a tendu beginning in fifth position instead of first position.