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legs in plie, or en dedans - turning inwards.

Pli
A basic bending movement of the knees; in French, it means "bent". The pli is a smooth and continuous bending and straightening of the knees.
This can be taken to demi-pli (a comfortable, natural bend) or grand-pli, where the dancer bends their knees all the way down until their buttocks reach their feet, whilst maintaining classical turn-out. The legs are turned out at the hip joints, allowing the thighs and knees to open directly above the line of the toes.

Port de bras
"Carriage of the arms and head." Movement of the arms in a motion around the body. The basic port de bras moves from bras bas to first position of the arms, to second position of the arms, then back down to bras bas. A full port de bras moves from bras bas to first to fifth, down through second and back to bras bas.

Positions of the arms
There are two basic positions for the arms: in one, the dancer keeps the fingers of both arms almost touching to form an oval shape; in the other, the arms are extended laterally with the elbows slightly bent. These positions may be combined to give other positions; the nomenclature for the position of the arms differs according to the method followed. The following descriptions apply to the 'rounded' positions of the arms; the corresponding allongs positions are obtained by stretching the elbows and rotating the palms of the hands downwards.
-Bras bas (or 'bras au repos'): both arms are rounded with the fingers almost touching, with both hands just in front of the dancer's hips.
-First position: maintaining this curved oval shape, the arms are brought up so that the tips of the fingers are in line with the navel.
-Second position: the arms are stretched out to the side, however there is an angle of the arms down and forward, and the palms are facing forward. The elbow is slightly lower than the shoulder and the wrist is slightly lower than the elbow.
-Third position: one arm is in second position, while the other is rounded and raised above the head (French fifth position).
-Fourth position: one arm is in first position, while the other is rounded and raised above the head (French fifth position).
-Fifth position (or 'bras en couronne'): both arms are rounded and held just above and slightly forward of the dancer's head.

Relev
(pronounced: reh-luh-VAY) to Snatch. When you raise your heels off the ground with or without the help of a pli and balance on the ball of your foot or en pointe.

Turnout
Turnout is a rotation of the leg which comes from the hips, causing the knee and foot to turn outward, away from the center of the body. Turnout technique is used mainly in Classical Ballet; whereas, Jazz Dance uses primarily the opposite "straight feet" techniques.

When attempting ballet moves it is important to breath and relax. Breath will help you relax and it will help you feel the pulse of the moves you are attempting. Now that you know the very basic ballet terms/ descriptions and you can try them out in front of your mirror like I did when I first learned about them! Ballet is a great way to stay fit and its more fun that sit ups!

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