| When we start our ballet dancing classes, one of the | | | | steps. In the centre we do transfer of weight with a |
| first things that we will learn is how to bend our knees | | | | demi plie. We start and end all of our pirouettes with a |
| and the demi plie will become a constant in all of our | | | | demi plie. We start and end all of our steps of |
| ballet lessons. From when we are tiny tots, we will | | | | elevation with a demi plie. The demi plie is used to |
| learn to make diamonds with our knees, or open our | | | | protect our knees from getting injured, and also to |
| windows or whatever imagery our teachers use to | | | | softens all our landings and gives support and fluidity to |
| get us to bend and open out our knees over our toes. | | | | all our movements. |
| The word demi plie is French and means, literally | | | | When a demi plie is performed, all the muscles in the |
| translated, half bend. By half bend, it means bending | | | | leg will be engaged. The quads will be taught, the |
| your knees until just before your heels lift off the floor. | | | | calves and Achilles tendons will be stretched, the inner |
| Once your heels start to lift, when you are in first | | | | thighs will be held, and the gluts will also need to be |
| position, you will no longer be doing a 'half bend' but will | | | | controlled. As dancers you must ensure that the |
| be continuing on into a full plie, which is much further | | | | MohHHknee is correctly aligned with the feet. To avoid |
| down. | | | | injury and strain to the knees, the knees should never |
| Most dance classes begin their barre work with plies. | | | | rock inwards, but always feel as though they are |
| As the full plie places a lot of pressure on the knees, it | | | | pressing outwards over the toes. In order to do this |
| is essential that you warm up prior to starting your | | | | the dancer has to engage all of her turn out muscles. |
| class, and not use your plie exercise as a warm up | | | | As you can see, there is a lot more to the demi plie |
| exercise. | | | | than meets the eye. Next time you do your ballet |
| A plie is a very important component in all aspects of | | | | class, pay special attention to this seemingly |
| ballet dancing, or any dance type for that matter. If we | | | | unimportant aspect to your dancing, and you may find |
| don't bend, our movements become very stiff and | | | | that small adjustments to your plies will make all the |
| unnatural looking. | | | | difference to your overall technique. |
| The demi plie is used in just about all of our ballet | | | | |
