Q&A for How to Do a Plie in Ballet

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Question

How can I improve my plie?

Geraldine Grace Johns
Professional Ballerina & Ballet Instructor
Geraldine Grace Johns is a Professional Ballerina and the Owner of Grace Ballet in New York and Los Angeles. Geraldine toured through New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Korea as Jammes in Ken Hill's Original Phantom of the Opera. She has studied with the Royal Academy of Dance in London to become a teacher and taught for the Kudo School of Ballet in Yokohama. Geraldine also ran her own Royal Academy of Dance School in New Zealand before studying at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City. Geraldine was a guest coach and Master Class teacher in Toronto for the Canadian Royal Academy of Dance's Dance Challenge in 2018, 2019, and 2020. She was also a guest coach and Master Class teacher for the USA Royal Academy of Dance Challenge in Long Beach, California in 2019 and 2020. Grace Ballet Los Angeles has won recognition as one of 13 Best Ballet Schools in Los Angeles since opening her school. Geraldine is a contract Practical Teaching Supervisor for the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies for the Royal Academy of Dance.

Geraldine Grace Johns

Professional Ballerina & Ballet Instructor

Expert Answer

Keep your knees in alignment with your first two toes, your back straight, and your tummy lifted. Think of your waist as a bucket of water—you want to keep everything perfectly straight.

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Question

When I Demi plie in second position, should my knees go over my toes?

Community Answer

I believe your knees should stay in line with your toes, but not go over until you are in a grand plie, if at all.

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Question

How can I do a grand plie in 4th position?

Community Answer

In fourth, it is the same principle as in every other position. Keep your torso in between your two legs, do not lean forward or backwards, and make sure you are positioned correctly.

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Question

If I don't have ballet flats, what can I use instead?

Community Answer

Thinner socks, tights or bare feet usually work just fine.

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Question

How do I do a grande jete?

Community Answer

Brush up your front foot and push of your back foot.

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Question

How long do I have to practice before I can do a demi plie?

Community Answer

You don't have to practice at all, really. It is the same as plie just in a squatting position.

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Question

What if I don't have a teacher and I'm learning the plié. How can I know that I'm doing right or wrong?

Hannah Madden

Community Answer

Try watching yourself in a full-length mirror to track your movements. If you need an example to look at, look up YouTube videos of people practicing pliés. If you keep at it, you'll master the plié in no time!

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Question

I find turning my hips out 180 degrees really easy, am I doing it right?

Hannah Madden

Community Answer

If you've been doing ballet for a while, turning out to 180 degrees is probably easy for you. If you're a beginner and you're finding it really easy to turn out, bend your knees to see if they stay aligned with your toes. If your knees are in front of your toes, you're probably turning out too far.

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Question

Should I feel discomfort at first?

Hannah Madden

Community Answer

A plié shouldn't necessarily feel uncomfortable. You might feel a slight stretch in your inner thigh area the first few times you try it. However, if you're in pain, stop the exercise and try it again while focusing on your body position.

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