| Length is the goal in ballet, and here are some ways to | | | | you do this every time you do a plie, it will make a |
| think of it as a realistic goal. Striving for length also | | | | huge difference in the lengthening feeling. |
| creates the elastic quality in your ballet movement that | | | | Another place to feel a lengthening is from the top of |
| results in a richer texture. | | | | a press up. You've reached the top of your demi |
| For example, when you start a demi plie, you pull up. | | | | pointe or full pointe. As you lower the heels, pretend |
| But to make that an extra pulled up strength, think of | | | | you are not lowering. You pull the heels down, away |
| bending your knees, maximum turnout, and not | | | | from your hips and torso. Your thighs stretch out long, |
| lowering your body for a second. That's right, pull up | | | | in your mental image, like a stretchy band (which they |
| the lower abs so that your belly button moves up your | | | | are). You keep trying to stay up even as your heels |
| torso and stays there! | | | | touch the floor. |
| This is different from pulling in your stomach into a | | | | At this moment, if you are continuing into a demi plie, |
| bundled knot. Whether or not you succeed in bending | | | | you again hold the lower abs long and up, as you open |
| your knees and staying up, you will stretch your lower | | | | the knees, as if you are not lowering. |
| abs long and flat. To practice, open and close your | | | | Here are just two places that will make a tremendous |
| knees a little several times and try to stay up at the | | | | difference, if you do the lengthening technique every |
| same level. Then, when you sink down into that plie, | | | | time you do a plie or pull down from a press up. |
| keep the lower torso long and flat, still pulling up and | | | | This helps control the pelvis, posture, and turnout, and |
| away from the motion, still letting your calves relax, | | | | you'll get the best you can in developing long and lean |
| turnout held, and your feet flat on the floor, heels firm. If | | | | muscles and build strength. |