How to Strengthen Your Balance in Relevé

What is a Relevé?

Here are two official definitions:

When referring to movement, relevé is the lifting of the heels and rising on to the toes. A relevé starts from a plié.

​When referring to a position, relevé can also describe a position of the standing leg. In a relevé position, the heel is lifted and you are on your toes.

How to Do It

Feet

Make sure your weight is pushed over onto the big and second toes. Letting your weight sit back into the pinky toes weakens your platform because the ankles are out of alignment with the feet and legs.

Use your rotation

You should feel both your legs actively rotating out. Think of your legs as two drill bits drilling into the floor and rotating externally (from the hips). This creates a sturdy foundation for the rest of your body.

Hips

Make sure both your hips are squared to the front. Avoid lifting the hip of your working leg to get into the position. Rather than using the outside of the hip, use the strength from underneath (your hamstring) to lift the working leg.

Back

Don’t crunch your upper and middle back down into your lower back. The tendency here is to tense up the back and push it down in order to maintain balance. Instead, try to do the opposite of this instinct. Check back in with your hips and strengthen the rotation of your legs. Then, consciously lengthen the spine by trying to touch the top of your head to the ceiling.

In Conclusion

Remember, all things take practice! It is important to not get frustrated. After all, ballet should be fun. Use the above guidelines to practice your relevé, and be on your way to better posture, balance and technique. Relevé is one of the basic movements and positions in ballet. Once you master it, other positions and movements will fall into place. If you have any questions or suggestions for the next blog, leave a note in the comments!