How to Developpé and Enveloppé

For the next two weeks, our class will focus on developpé (to develop) and enveloppé (to close). Yelena, at Ballet for All gives a nice video tutorial on the two movements.  These are great strength builders, because they involve controlled movement of an extended working leg.

In developpé, the working leg "develops" continuously from a standing position to an extended position.  Your pointed foot traces up the standing leg, through retiré (toe pointed at the standing knee), then your leg extends outward to the front, side or back.

In enveloppé, the working leg reverses the developpé movement, folding inward to retiré, from where it can either close back down to the floor, or extend out in a different direction via another developpé.

Professional dancers attain some pretty astounding developpés and enveloppé, often lifting their working leg high above their head.  Wow!

Four our class, whatever height you're able to attain with your leg is perfectly fine; 45-degrees is absolutely good.  Focus on quality over quantity.  It's better to execute a beautifully controlled low developpé / enveloppé, than to strain and throw your body off balance with a movement that is too extreme.