Degagé [day-ga-ZHAY]

translation: disengaged or disengaging step.  As a dancer today you have to be so versatile.  So many of us were trained with several different techniques so when it comes to teaching, especially young students, it can be difficult to decide what terminology to use.  What most of know as degegé can also be called Glissé meaning gliding or Jeté meaning thrown.  I use the term degegé while teaching because I feel it is the most commonly used.  I prefer however the translation of Vaganova's Jeté.  The word disengage does not trigger any sort of image that aids me in the step's execution.  Thrown however does.  When you throw something with your arm, there is a circular action that ends with a follow through in the direction in which you are trying to throw the object.  You can see the energy emanate out of the arm in a direct line.  I like this image for degagé.  There is a brush into the floor creating a circular feeling and then a throwing action sending the energy out through the end of the toes.  Another dance teacher friend of mine felt the complete opposite though.  Disengage did more for her than throw.  Funny how a single word can change how you do a movement and how it varies from person to person.  Try the movement three times for yourself, once while saying each word (thrown, gliding, and disengage) and see how it affects how you do the movement.  I would love to hear what you observe!

While working on this weeks word I stumbled upon this website Ballet Talk for Dancers.  Click Here to view a discussion on this very topic.