| Plies are one of the most important exercises that | | | | Grande in French means 'big.' |
| you will do in your ballet dancing classes. Plie is a | | | | Plies are usually taught in second position first, |
| French word which means to bend. Plies are normally | | | | followed by first and third. Later on you will progress |
| done at the beginning of the ballet class at the barre | | | | from third to fifth position, and also learn open and |
| and they in turn prepare the body for the work to | | | | closed fourth positions. The movements down and |
| come, as well as increase your mobility and turn out. | | | | up during a plie must always be smooth and even, as |
| A plie is a two way stretch. While the knees are | | | | though you are pressing and working against a large |
| bending, the upper body remains upright and 'grows' | | | | spring. The heels stay firmly on the floor during all the |
| up rather than sinking with the body. By the time you | | | | demi plies, but will give slightly and naturally on your |
| have done two plies properly you should feel the | | | | grande plies in all the positions except second, in |
| warmth of the increased circulation throughout your | | | | which the heels will remain in contact with the ground |
| entire body. | | | | throughout. As you return into demi plie from grande |
| A plie starts with straight legs then goes into a demi | | | | plie, the heels must reach for the floor as soon as |
| plie, which means 'half' a bend. The heels remain flat | | | | they can. |
| on the floor during a demi plie and the back remains | | | | Plies are used all the time in ballet dancing. They |
| straight. Hips should be level, as though your are | | | | precede and end off pirouettes. They precede steps |
| resting a bowl of soup on them, the shoulders should | | | | of elevation and allow for a soft landing at the end |
| be lined up above your hips. The position is turned | | | | of your jumps. Use of the demi plie is very important |
| out and as you bend the knees should be over your | | | | in ballet dancing, and lack of it can lead to very over |
| feet with the weight of the body evenly distributed | | | | developed and muscled legs. Lack of the demi plie will |
| between your two feet. The body should be well | | | | also spoil you landings, and affect the height of your |
| lifted with a firm waist and the bottom should not | | | | jumps. |
| poke out, especially as you move into a grande plie. | | | | |