The Barre Part I

PLIÉ

In plié exercises, there should be a mixture of elevé and relevé as well as grand plié.  We generally want to focus on the depth of the demi plié as we begin and initiate the motion with the tendon action at the hip.  Control and energize the deepening and returning action with the hip joints open and sustained by the gluteals and the small muscles down the back of the legs.

The correct position of the feet and knees is very important during plié exercises.  There should be little stress on the barre.  Correct position comes from inside the dancer, not from undue pressure on the barre or twisting of the feet and knees.

Upward energy should be the focus during the downward motion of the plié, and there should never be a complete stop at the bottom of the plié.  On the return, the energy should be focused on the stance and pressure down through the feet, but with the reservation that the back and line of head, neck, and shoulders is very squared-off and spatially lifting at all times.

Arms during the demi and grand plié should be varied in their pathways and truly classical in their movements through wide circles.  Special attention should be paid to finger and wrist action at this time as it is the beginning of class.  Stress and fingers out of harmony with the circular reference are indicators that the back and hips are not aligned correctly.

During plié practice, all the transitions between positions should be accomplished within the dance format and never should the body seem uncarried or unchoreographed in motion.  At the finish of the plié exercise, the body should be elongated and well-oxygenated.  Stress and force is not part of the activity.

PORT DE CORP

The port de corp combined with the plié exercise gives relaxation to the spine and encourages the ability to lift and separate each vertebra.  Front-to-back cambré as well as side-to-side also assist the arms to learn to pass through correct circles.  Cambré en ronde together with lifting and carrying the body onto and off off back cambré teaches the head and neck when and how to support the movement through the spine and build strength for correct execution. 

The stillness of the body below the hips on all cambré and port de corp movements allows the smaller muscles up the back of the leg and under the hips to learn to powerfully hold the stance as the upper body is curved in all directions.  It is very important to keep the knees drawn up securely in this portion of the exercise, and if there is to be a demi plié or fondu, that the hips, knees, ankles, feet, and toes are correctly aligned and not held in stress.