What You'll Learn
- How to use the accordion visualization for continuous movement
- Techniques to avoid sitting at the bottom of your plié
- Ways to align kneecap movement with musical phrasing
- Tips for maintaining a fluid transition between descending and ascending
About This Video
The plié is the fundamental building block of ballet technique, serving as the starting and ending point for jumps, turns, and transitions. However, many dancers find themselves performing this movement in a mechanical, two-part fashion: down, then up. At Broche Ballet, we want to help you move past this static approach.
In this tutorial, we introduce the concept of the 'accordion' to help you achieve a truly fluid and expressive plié. Imagine that your legs are the bellows of an accordion. To create a beautiful, sustained note, the accordion must never stop moving; it is either expanding or contracting.
Similarly, in a ballet plié, your movement should be constant. Instead of focusing on the verticality of 'down and up,' shift your focus to the horizontal path of your kneecaps. As you begin the exercise, visualize your kneecaps slowly moving out toward the sides.
This outward expansion should continue until the very moment you reach your maximum depth. One of the most common technical errors is pausing at the bottom of the plié. This pause breaks the musical line and makes it much harder to engage the muscles needed to return to a standing position.
By using the accordion visualization, you learn to treat the bottom of the movement as a transition point rather than a destination. The moment your kneecaps reach their furthest point 'out,' they must immediately begin moving 'back in' toward the midline. This creates a sense of elasticity and buoyancy in your dancing.
Focusing on this constant motion also improves your musicality. In a professional ballet class, the music doesn't stop at the bottom of the count; it flows through the phrase. By keeping your movement even and fluid, you align your physical body with the rhythm of the accompaniment.
This exercise is perfect for dancers of all levels who want to add a layer of sophistication and control to their work at the barre. Join Broche Ballet as we refine these essential details, helping you to dance with more grace and technical precision.
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