Demi plie is traditionally the first exercise that classical dancers all around the world will do every day in every ballet class. Plie is the preparation and recovery for most dance steps. The correct development and use of the demi plie is essential to a dancers technique.
Demi plie can be executed in 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th positions and is often combined with port de bras, rises and balances.
As well as being an essential part of a dancers warm up in class, plie develops strength in the legs and works on the dancers external rotation.
As a preparation and landing for all jumps and as the springboard for releves in turns it is critical that dancers have a good understanding of the purpose, execution and technique of the demi plie.
During the demi plie the dancer must focus on correct alignment including placement of the legs, shoulders, pelvis, head, whole torso and centring of the weight. Weight needs to be equally balanced on both legs in the demi plie as even small shifts in weight can set up muscular imbalances that will affect the dancers technique. The pelvis must be held level on the way down and the way up from the plie.
Demi plie is a wonderful strengthening exercise and helps to develop the stretch of the Achilles tendon and calf muscles soleus and gastrocnemius as well as working on the external rotation of the hip joint.
The dynamic qualities of the demi plie should be free, elastic, rebounding and flowing. It is a soft yet resistant sustained movement. The bending and straightening of the knees must be smooth and without any 'jerks'. Having reached the lowest point of a plie the dancer must not 'sit' or pause, but begin to rise immediately and not interrupt the movement.
Attention must be paid to the strong turn out in the demi plie, otherwise the Achilles tendon will not be fully included and will not receive the required development. This is essential for producing the correct demi plie position for the take off in jumps where the push from the floor is done with the heels.
Technical checklist for demi plie;
1) The heels must be pressed firmly into the floor
2) The weight should be placed evenly on both feet
3) The ankles and arches must be well lifted
4) The knees must be over the dancers toes as far as possible without allowing the heels to leave the floor, maintain the maximum turnout
5) The dancer must maintain a strong external rotation of the hip joint
6) Toes must be flat on the floor and not be seen to curl up or grip
7) The pelvis must be well lifted and well placed, no tucking of the pelvis
8) Strong straight back with well held posture
9) No rolling of the feet or ankles, no resting the weight on the big toe.
10) No readjustment of the torso in the plie
As a key element in classical ballet dancers will spend lots of time practicing and perfecting the demi plie!
