Pair

A rhythmic gymnastics routine performed by two gymnasts with either the same or different apparatus. Pictured are gymnasts from Mitcham gym club in South Australia.
(Picture from Nikki Johnson)

Passe

The most basic balance position. Leg is turned outwards with thigh at horizontal, knee bent and toes touching the inner knee of the support leg.
(Picture by Rodney Matheson)

Penche

A balance position similar to a needle scale. Free leg is in a verticle splits position and chest is downwards towards the knee of the supporting leg. Both legs are strait and hands should not touch the ground.

Phrase

A short passage of movement or music.

Pike

Position with strait, out-stretched legs and a closed hip angle (chest as close to the knees as possible)

Pirouette

Spin or turn.

pivot

Turn, on the ball of the foot.

Plane

Imaginary, two dimentional surface in which movements are performed. These are the sagittal (lateral), frontal, horizontal, and diagonal planes.

Planing

The ability of the gymnast to keep the apparatus in the intended plane without deviation.

Plie

Bend of the knee or knees.

pose

Aesthetically pleasing momentarily held position.

posture

The carriage of your body or the way in which you hold yourself.

pre-acrobatic

Permitted gymnastic acrobatic elements such as rools, splits, chest rolls.

Preparation

Putting your body in the correct postition for the start of an element (ie: a lunge prepares for a pivot)
(Picture from Nikki Johnson)

push-up arch

similar to a push-up back flexion. From a sitting position with bent legs in front of the boby and one hand behind the body, the gymnasts pushes up into a standing back arch (or back flexion) and then procededs to a standing position.