soutenu

Soutenu, meaning “supported” or “sustained” in French, is a turn step that can be done on either demi or full pointe. The basis for this step is a crossed fifth position on pointe/demi pointe. A soutenu is generally piquéd or relevéd into the fifth position en pointe/demi, where the step begins. Next, the front foot will be rotated on to quickly bring the back leg to the front in the fifth position en pointe/demi. The front leg will now become the back leg as you return to the front, and this shift of weight allows the momentum for the turn to take place. The goal is to showcase a crossed fifth position through the step and make the transition between front feet appear seamless as the position turns around. A soutenu begins and ends in fifth position on pointe or demi pointe. 

For a typical piqué soutenu, the first leg will reach out to piqué to pointe as the second leg follows to cross front to the fifth position. The second leg closing to make fifth should aim to reach the beginning of the soutenu (crossed fifth) immediately, making this fifth position apparent and clean before the actual turn takes place. This is helpful for maintaining clean and technical steps especially in series of linked soutenus that appear in some choreography and turning sequences. Really think of crossing your fifth to begin the step, because not only does it look lovely to see this position instead of an in-between step, it is also helpful for the actual rotation of the soutenu.

A very important element in this step is keeping a crossed fifth position and finding the second fifth as soon as the weight is on the original front leg as it becomes the back leg of the new position. If you let any part of the pivot from fifth to other fifth wander out of a crossed position, the turn loses efficiency and balance. Another helpful hint is to think of yourself as remaining straight up and down as though you are a telephone pole rooted into the ground and reaching up to the sky simultaneously through each part of the step. BE the center of the turn, and feel yourself perpendicular to the floor throughout the rotation. 

Your core is especially important for stabilizing a soutenu, and keeping your arms and back held from your center while being in correct alignment in each fifth position will benefit your soutenu greatly. If you piqué into the soutenu, make sure you place yourself into an upright line as soon as your feet reach that initial fifth position en pointe/demi pointe. Don't leave anything behind, and collect yourself into your fifth all at the same time. If you are using a relevé to start the soutenu, cross the front leg and sous sus to start the turn, while imagining gathering all your technique into this position immediately. 

Soutenu is a collected, and technical step that is a wonderful use of the fifth position on pointe or demi pointe we work on through barre and center. Your fifth position en pointe/demi pointe at barre becomes the foundation for soutenu in center, so work on engaging correct alignment and technique from the very start of class, and use it to make your soutenus the best they can be! 

Have a wonderful Technique Thursday!