Barre Glossary: Common Class Terms

Use this glossary to look up a word you heard in class. Barre methods may use the same term differently; the brief definitions explain vocabulary rather than prescribe a movement.

Five terms to recognize first

Start with barre, parallel, plié, pulse and isometric hold. They describe the format, a stance, a knee bend and two different kinds of task. You can ask an instructor to show the version used in that class.

For example, if you hear “pulse” while you are holding still, ask whether the task should include a small movement. If you hear “neutral,” ask what position the teacher means for the exercise. Knowing a word does not tell you the required range, resistance or amount of support.

Look up a term

A · B · C · D · E · F · G · I · N · P · R · S · T · W

A

Arabesque

A ballet-derived term for a position with one leg extending behind the body. Fitness versions and support vary.

Attitude

A ballet-derived leg position with the lifted leg bent. Ask how the class uses the term.

B

Barre

A support rail, and a name used for a range of ballet-influenced fitness classes.

C

C-Curve

A rounded-trunk shape used in some methods. It is not a position required for every exercise.

Changement

A ballet term for a jump that changes the position of the feet. Not every barre class includes jumps.

D

Dégagé

A ballet-derived foot action extending away from the supporting position.

Développé

A ballet-derived unfolding leg action. Use the version taught for the particular task.

E

Engage

A coaching cue to apply muscular effort for a task; ask which action is intended.

F

First Position

A turned-out stance used in ballet and some barre classes. Do not force the foot angle.

Fondu

A ballet term involving bending of the supporting leg; the class version may differ.

G

Grand Plié

A deep ballet knee bend. Its presence in a glossary is not a recommendation to perform it.

I

Isometric Hold

A hold with no intended visible joint movement in the task. It is distinct from moving pulses.

N

Neutral Spine

A cue for an individually appropriate spinal position in a particular task, not a universally fixed shape.

P

Parallel Position

A stance in which the feet are oriented in the same general forward direction.

Passé

A ballet-derived position with one foot near the other leg. The class version and support vary.

Plié

Say it: plee-AY (approximate English pronunciation). Dictionary pronunciation.

In class: If the teacher says “small plié,” ask them to show the starting stance and the size of the bend.

A bending of the knees. Depth, stance and support depend on the actual exercise.

Port de Bras

A ballet term for carriage or movement of the arms.

Pulse

A small repeated movement. A pulse is not the same action as an isometric hold.

R

Relevé

Say it: rel-uh-VAY (approximate English pronunciation). Dictionary pronunciation.

In class: If the teacher asks for a relevé, ask where to place your support and whether a heels-down version is available.

A rise onto the balls of the feet. It is optional only when the class provides an appropriate alternative.

Rond de Jambe

A ballet-derived circular leg action; the size and class version vary.

S

Second Position

A wider turned-out stance used in ballet and some fitness methods. Do not force turnout.

Sous-Sus

A ballet position bringing the feet closely together during a rise. Ask for the taught fitness version.

T

Tendu

Say it: tahn-DOO (approximate English pronunciation). Dictionary pronunciation.

In class: If the teacher says “tendu to the side,” ask them to show the foot path and the endpoint used in this class.

A ballet-derived extension of the foot along the floor.

Tuck

A cue sometimes used for pelvic movement. Ask for the task-specific position; it is not a pelvic-floor treatment.

Turnout

Outward rotation used in ballet-derived positions. Do not force an angle to match someone else.

W

Wide Second

A wider version of a second-position stance used in some barre methods.

Use the word to ask a better question

Try “Can you show me the starting position?” or “What does that cue mean in this exercise?” You do not need to memorize ballet terminology before taking a beginner fitness class. The beginner format guide explains what to ask about instruction, pace and equipment.

IBBFA’s terminology reference provides further context on the words used in barre. Individual methods can use a cue differently.

Understand the movement behind the word

Explore pelvic-position cues and the barre tuck, learn why muscles may shake during a hold, or use six leg movements with demonstration links to connect vocabulary with an actual example.