plié

Plié is a fundamental ballet movement in which the dancer bends the knees while keeping the spine long and the turnout of the hips. The term comes from the French verb plier, meaning to fold or bend. Pliés are practiced in various positions and are used as a basic building block for alignment, foot placements, and transitions.

Two common forms are demi-plié and grand plié. In demi-plié, the knees bend modestly with the thighs moving toward parallel to the floor, the weight evenly distributed over the entire foot, and the heels remaining in contact with the floor. In grand plié, the knees bend more deeply while maintaining turnout, with the torso remaining upright and the hips square, again keeping the weight over the feet and the heels on the ground. Both forms emphasize control, turnout from the hips, and proper alignment of the knees over the toes.

Technique and alignment are essential in plié. Dancers initiate the bend from the hips while maintaining a lifted chest, relaxed shoulders, and a stable pelvis. The movement requires the knees to track over the toes and the feet to remain pointed forward in their respective turnout. Avoid letting the knees collapse inward or the lower back arch excessively. Depth of plié is influenced by training level, flexibility, and the demands of the choreography.

Pliés are used in warm-ups, as preparation for jumps and turns, and as a transition between other steps. They help develop leg strength, turnout, balance, and proprioception, forming a core element of classical ballet technique and of related dance styles.