Pronounced: bat-MAHN tahn-DEW

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A proper tendu to the front is being shown by Elena to the left [1]. Her working leg is directly in front of her, not crossing to her left, or facing outward to her right. Elena’s heel is lifted, and her toes are pointed. It is important that your heel is always lifted for a tendu, as it will improve your turnout, and work the muscles in foot.

Extending to a complete tendu is really no more difficult than a basic plié. Lets start in first position as an example. Don’t move your supporting leg at all through this transition. Glide your working leg out, lift your heel, slide through the ball of your foot, and finally point your toes. The position that you should now have is called “pointe tendu.”

Changing from a front tendu to a side tendu can be done in one of two ways. First, it depends if you are doing tendus in first of fifth position; second, it depends on how many sets to each side you are doing. As an example, we’ll do a front tendu transition to a side tendu from first position. Glide your foot back in to first position, just the opposite from your extension. Now, from first position, glide your working leg out to a second position.

Arms for a front tendu may be placed any of the following ways: en bas, second, en haut, or on the hip. You may also have your arms placed en avant, but I prefer not to. In side tendu, you can place your arm in second, which is the most common position, or on your hips. For a back tendu, your working arm can be at second, or at an second arabesque position.

A battement fondu is very similar to the tendu, only instead of always keeping your toes on the floor, a fondu will have your working foot in the air the whole time. Fondu means to melt, and that’s really what this exercise looks like. Start in coupé [pronounced: koo-PAY; means cut—have your foot pointed en l’air in turn out, right up against your leg.], plié with your supporting leg [1]. Now, extend your working leg from coupé to a pointed, stretched leg [2]. Start by lifting your leg to 45°, and then work your way up to 90°, and so forth.

The next two exercises can be done with either tendus or fondus. The last one has your supporting leg do some of the exercises, and would not be a good choice for fondus.

Suggested Exercise (front, side, back, side)

1. Start in preparatory first, then open working arm at second.
2. Four complete tendus to the front, plié.
3. Four complete tendus to the side, plié.
4. Four complete tendus to the back, plié.
5. Four complete tendus to the side, plié.
6. Repeat on opposite side.

Suggested Exercise (front flexed, side flexed, back flexed, side flexed)

1. Start in preparatory fifth, then open working arm at second.
2. One tendu to the front, lift foot and flex, lower, and bring back in. Repeat 3 more times, close right foot front fifth.
3. To the side, same as to the front, but close your working leg to the front, back, front, back. This way you will be ready to start the back set without switching your leg again.
4. Same exercise to the back, but this time close right foot back fifth.
5. To the side, tendu, lift foot and flex, lower and then bring back in. Repeat 3 more times.
6. Repeat on opposite side.

Suggested Exercise: explained on the right side with left hand on the barre (not recommended for a first-time ballet student)

1. Start in preparatory fifth position, open working arm to en haut.
2. 2 tendus front with the right leg, working arm en haut.
3. 2 tendus back with the left leg, working arm arabesque.
4. 2 tendus to the right side with the right leg, working arm at second.
5. 2 tendus to the left side with the left leg, working arm at second.
6. 2 tendus front with the left leg, working arm en haut.
7. 2 tendus back with the right leg, working arm arabesque.
8. 2 tendus to the left with the left leg, working arm at second.
9. 2 tendus to the right with the right leg, working arm at second.
10. Plié, and finish. Begin a second set, or repeat on the left side.