Searchin' for my lost grande plié

As I gradually regain proper use of my dance technique, I'm still missing one key component: my grande plié.

Now, a brief but worthwhile digression for my non-dance readers:

According to Gail Grant, (Webster of the ballet world) a grande plié is a full bending of the knees; an exercise to render the joints soft and pliable and the tendons flexible and elastic, and to develop a sense of balance. 

(Translated: a fancy squat and return to standing sans grunt)

My muscle memory has actually been pretty miraculous throughout this process. Considering that at Christmas I could barely climb steps, I'm relieved to have rediscovered my feet, spine and
(speaking of miracles) abdominals. And yet, if I attempt this full, pliable bending, I'm not getting up. Maybe Jimmy Buffett knows where I put my plié...