How should the pelvis and spine be arranged during plié in Grade 1?

• A. Pelvis level, spine tall, ribs over hips, turnout maintained, knees over toes
• B. Pelvis forward, spine tall, ribs behind hips, turnout maintained, knees over toes
• C. Pelvis level, spine straight, ribs over hips, turnout not required, knees over toes
• D. Pelvis level, spine tall, ribs over hips, turnout maintained, knees over toes

Answer: (D)

In plié, the aim is to create a stable, long line from head to hips with proper alignment. The pelvis stays level as you bend the knees, so there’s no tilting that would shift the rib cage or throw the upper body off balance. The spine stays tall, lengthening upward rather than collapsing, which helps you stay balanced and controlled through the bend. The ribs stay over the hips to keep the torso stacked and the shoulders relaxed, preventing any rib flare or forward lean. Turnout is maintained from the hips, so the legs keep their outward rotation and the feet follow that direction. The knees should track over the toes, keeping the joints safe and the line clean. If any of these cues shift—pelvis tilting, a collapsed or overly rigid spine, ribs drifting behind the hips, loss of turnout, or knees moving inward—you lose the steady alignment that makes the plié effective. This combination is the best way to teach and perform Grade 1 plié.