Relevé lent is a classical ballet term meaning “slow raising.” It is usually used in the Russian Schools of ballet.
It describes when a dancer starts in one of the basic ballet positions of the feet with straight legs, then lifts one leg off the floor while raising up to relevé on the supporting leg while moving in a slow adagio tempo, all without a plié.
Most commonly done as part of an adagio combination at barre, relevé lent is not usually seen on stage in ballets. It does however have excellent benefits for building strength.
