How to Do a Plie

Video Transcript

"How to do a pli?. The word pli? in French, means to bend. It is the first position that we do at the bar, and the first movement, for warming up our legs. In a ballet class, one would do pli?s in first, second, fourth, and fifth position. It's also important to note, that there are two different kinds of pli?. A demi-pli?, which means a small, and a grand pli?, which means a larger pli?. It is important to note, that when doing a pli?, the knees must always open, and go over the toes. You do not want your knees to go forward, as it could cause knee problems. In a demi-pli?, the heels stay on the floor, and as you straighten, you tighten and strengthen the legs. In a grand pli?, you go through the demi position, all the way down to the bottom, and then press back through the demi-pli?, as you straighten. In second position, demi-pli? heels also stay on the floor, but as you lower into the grand pli?, you want to also remember to keep your heels into the floor, as it stretches out the back of the Achilles tendons. In fourth position especially, note that the knees must go over the balls of the feet, and not go forward. Opening up to the side, all the way down, keeping the back straight, and the hips tucked under, and then back to fifth position, opening to make diamonds of the knees, all the way down through grand pli?, pressing back into the floor, and finishing with straight legs. First position, heels together, toes open, weight on the balls of the feet. Second position, heels underneath the hips, toes open. Fourth position, front heel slightly forward of the back big toe, and fifth position, heel at the front foot, in front of the big toe of the back foot, toes open to the side, legs straight."