Basic Ballet Guide

Plie is absolute foundation in ballet. Almost every movement comes from plie. Every day dancers start ballet class with plie. So what is this? You can say it's kind of ballet squat. In plie the knees and feet are turned out, the pelvis is parallel to the floor. We must engage abdominal muscles to keep the core strong and in place - above the hips. Also do not let the bum stick out, keep the hipbones in a straight line. Controlled slow bend of the knees is the key in this exercise. Plie can be done in every ballet foot position, but there are differences on how to execute it in every one of them. 

Tendu is second exercise that is a foundation of other ballet movements. It is a straightening of the leg to the front, side or back with straight knee and arched foot maintaining contact with the floor. Remember to do it with your leg turned out - use inner thigh, rather than outside muscles. The most important thing in this exercise is to properly warm up foot and point toes when the foot looses contact with the floor and reaches maximum stretch. Remember to "brush" the floor with your foot, rather than take it simply to the front/back/etc. Keep your foot and knee turned out, the heel should be invisible to the audience.  Tendu is performed from all positions.