Barre basics - Points for pliés

Pliés (Fr., bent). designates the bending of the knees, for instance before commencing or on landing from any jump also particularly the exercise in which the knees are bent slowly with the feet turned right out heels firmly planted on the ground. It is the opening exercise of the daily class routine and serves to loosen the muscles and tendons and strengthen the dancers balance. (The concise Oxford dictionary of Ballet)

Follow the video with the teaching points for pliés in 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th positions and check with the points below.

• Relax the knees as they bend

• Keep the knees in line with the toes

• Lengthen through the body as you lower

• Hold the turn out

• Keep the pelvis square: facing front and no tipping or sitting

• In 2nd position the heels do not lift, they stay planted on the floor