弯曲。膝盖的弯曲。这是一个使关节和肌肉柔软、肌腱灵活有弹性,并培养平衡感的练习。分两种:demi-plié(半蹲)与 grand plié(深蹲)。
半蹲 Demi-plié:膝盖半弯曲。所有跳跃动作都以 demi-plié 开始和结束。做 demi-plié 时脚跟不离地。
深蹲 Grand Plié:膝盖完全弯曲至大腿与地面平行。在第一、第三、第四 croisé 脚位(脚在第五脚位、但两脚之间有一脚的距离)或第五脚位做 grand plié 时,脚跟必然抬离地面,并在膝盖伸直时再次落下;在第二脚位或第四 ouverte 脚位(脚在第一脚位、两脚之间有一脚的距离)做时,脚跟不离开地面。
共同要点:弯曲是逐渐的、没有急动,且脚跟抬起之前膝盖应至少半弯曲;起身速度与下蹲时相同,把脚跟压向地板。Plié 在把杆与中间练习中、五个脚位都会做(第三脚位通常省略)。所有的 plié 中,腿必须从臀部充分外开,膝盖打开并远超过脚趾,身体重量均匀分布在双脚上,整个脚掌抓住地板。
Bent, bending. A bending of the knee or knees. There are two principal pliés: grand plié or full bending of the knees (the knees bent until the thighs are horizontal) and demi-plié or half-bending of the knees. All steps of elevation begin and end with a demi-plié. Pliés are done at the bar and in the centre in all five positions of the feet. All demi-pliés are done without lifting the heels from the ground. In the grand plié in the first, third, fourth croisé or fifth position the heels always rise and are lowered again as the knees straighten; in the second or fourth ouverte position the heels do not leave the ground. The bending movement should be gradual and free from jerks; the body rises at the same speed at which it descended. In all pliés the legs must be well turned out from the hips, the knees open and well over the toes, the weight evenly distributed on both feet with the whole foot grasping the floor.