Soutenu

A soutenu is a turning step in which the dancer draws the feet tightly together and turns to finish with the opposite foot in front. The word soutenu means “sustained,” which points to the smooth, continuous quality of the turn. It is a common way to change which foot is in front and to reverse the direction a dancer is facing, and it can be done on demi-pointe or en pointe.

How a Soutenu Works

A soutenu often begins with the working leg extended, which then draws in to meet the supporting leg in a tight fifth position or sous-sus, with both legs crossed and the feet close together on demi-pointe or pointe. From that pulled-together position the dancer turns, usually a half turn, and unwinds so that the foot that started in back finishes in front. Because the legs stay squeezed together, the turn looks controlled and sustained rather than fast and whipping.

Where You See It

Soutenu turns are used constantly as connecting steps, linking one movement or pose to another and changing the front foot along the way. They can be done as a single half turn to reverse direction or repeated as a soft, traveling turn. Because they teach a dancer to pull the legs together tightly, rise, and turn as one unit, soutenus build the crossed, lifted position and controlled turning that support cleaner pirouettes and smoother transitions across a combination.