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A plié is one of the fundamental movements in ballet, and often the first exercise you will do in a ballet class. A good plié is essential for performing petit and grand allegro (the small, fast jumps and the large leaps that are so impressive on stage). A plié involves bending your legs and straightening them again, but just like everything in ballet, mastering a plié is a deliciously complex affair.

If you want to plié like a professional, here are five tips to get you there.

1. Never stop moving

How many counts in the music? Make sure you use them all and that your plié never stops moving. Dancers often sit at the bottom of their plié, or they straighten their legs at the end of the plié while there is still a full count left in the music. Don’t be that dancer! Make your plié use all the music.

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2. Keep your butt tucked in

I know – your plié is deeper if you stick your butt out. But plié depth isn’t the only important thing in life. Your technique, showing beautiful lines and building strength for jumps are all important – you can improve all these aspects when you keep your butt in line with your body. If you’re not sure you’re doing it correctly, think about making the front of your hips as long as possible.

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3. Keep it real in second position

A wide second position is another tempting way to increase the depth of your plié. The aim of the barre is to prepare yourself for work in the centre, and a wide second position won’t help you do that. Yes, you want to aim for depth, but do that by relaxing and lengthening your calf and achilles. Keep your feet in second no more than hip width apart.

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4. Relax your toes and tendons

Put the tension where you need it, but only where you need it. Make sure your toes are relaxed and spread out across the floor, and aren’t scrunched up. In the deepest part of your plié take a look down at your ankles. Are your tendons sticking out? Give them a rest – they aren’t needed in this exercise.

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5. Maintain your turnout throughout

We all know we need to turn out in ballet. But there are times we think about it and times we don’t. Make sure you think about your turnout right from before your plié starts, all the way to the deepest part of your plié, and don’t stop thinking about it as you transition from the way down to the way up, and keep thinking turnout turnout turnout, right up until your legs are fully straight again.