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Technique Tips: How to Maintain a Strong Attitude Position

Let’s be honest — the attitude might be the most confusing ballet position out there.


It’s not a retire.

It’s not a long arabesque.

It’s somewhere in between — bent, lifted, turned out… but still elegant?


The attitude is one of ballet’s most iconic poses — elegant, expressive, and technically challenging. Whether performed devant (to the front), à la seconde (to the side), or derrière (to the back), a clean attitude shows control, placement, and strength. But how do you make it look easy?


Today, we’re sharing tips and training exercises to help you achieve and maintain a strong, clean attitude position.


1. Engage Your Glutes, Back and Hamstring

Attitude derrière isn’t just about lifting the leg — it’s about supporting it with the right muscles. Glutes and hamstrings help with the height and shape, while your upper and lower back maintain the lift.


Training exercise: Attitude lifts at the barre


A perfect example from ExperienceLifeMag:


  1. Face the barre in a comfortable first position

  2. Bring one leg into attitude derrière

  3. Keep hips square and gently lift and lower the leg

  4. Do 10-15 controlled reps each side x 3 sets



2. Shape the Leg — Don’t Just Lift It

One of the most common mistakes in an attitude is a dropped knee with a turned-in leg.

This usually happens when dancers lift their leg from the foot or ankle, instead of initiating from the knee. The result? An inward-rotated leg, a wobbly base, and a broken line that loses that elegant “attitude” shape.


💡 When the knee drops, your hip tends to rotate inward, which makes turn-out nearly impossible and leads to:

  • Instability

  • Less control

  • A line that doesn’t match classical aesthetics


What to do instead: Focus on lifting from the knee, keeping it turned out and slightly above the foot. Imagine the thigh spiraling up and outward as you shape the attitude. The foot follows the line — not the other way around.


Credits：@grace.on.pointe
Credits：@grace.on.pointe

Try thinking of the leg as forming a soft curve, with the knee as the highest point, not the foot. It should look intentional, lifted, and held from deep turnout muscles — not a floppy bend behind you.


3. Strengthen Your Standing Leg

A beautiful attitude isn't just about the working leg — it starts from the ground up. Your supporting leg and core muscles do most of the work when it comes to balance and stability.


If your standing leg is weak or not fully engaged, you’ll find yourself wobbling or shifting weight unnecessarily.


Training exercise 1: Relevé Holds (Parallel + Turned Out)

  • Stand in parallel or 1st position, rise to a relevé and hold for 5-10 seconds.

  • Engage glutes, hamstrings, and core to stabilize.

  • Progress to single-leg relevé holds to challenge your balance and control.



Training exercise 2: Balance Exercise with Theraband

  • Tie a resistance band below your knees.

  • In parallel or turn-out position, do relevé and plié

  • 10 reps x 3 times.


Follow along Tamila to do this exercise.


4. Stretch the Hip Flexors for Better Mobility

Tight hip flexors often cause dancers to tuck under, tilt the pelvis, or struggle with turnout. A well-aligned pelvis gives your working leg more space to lift freely into attitude, especially derrière.


A simple stretch routine can improve not only mobility, but also the height and shape of your attitude.


Training exercise: Hip flexor stretch on barre

  • Stand facing the barre.

  • Place your foot on the barre in a bent position.

  • Keep hips square and lift your leg up for 10 reps x 3.


Isabella shared a wonderful stretching exercise on TikTok that you can follow along at home or at the studio. 


5. Keep Your Hips Square (Always!)

One of the most common mistakes in attitude is letting the working hip lift and open to the side. While it might feel like you’re gaining height, it breaks the classical line and throws off your balance.


Think of your hips as headlights — they should always shine forward. Your turnout should come from your upper leg, not by twisting your pelvis.


Cue to remember: Lift the knee without hiking the hip. It’s a game-changer once your body learns to separate the two.


A clean attitude takes time to develop. Don’t rush for height — focus on control, placement, and coordination. With regular training, your attitude will look effortless, expressive, and strong.


What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to attitude — balance, turnout, or leg height? Let us know in the comments or tag us in your practice clips — we love celebrating every dancer’s progress!


Credits:





 
 
 
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