Jump Tips: Gravity Is Your Friend 

Yes they were , in fact I tried to correct this principal dancer was trained in Cuba very different perspective . Whom was unwilling to change to safeguard his body and improve the technique !! Unfortunately this has been proven to be physically detrimental causing chronic tendonitis and possibly severing the achilles .Preventing injuries w safe effective cues and principles is the goal here.

You are correct !! You must feel the pile from the indie out ... meaning imaging and sustaining a feeling of the highest level in your body so you don't push down into your legs and only think of a Demi/ half plie no need for deep plies especially since you have been injured , a gentle stretch of your legs sitting would be a better alternative. Legs out straight with flexed feet to stretch feet warms the calves sufficiently LESS is always better !! I am here to help with 15 minute live coaching sessions I am building into my app !!