Balletic Alignment

I feel like the idea of alignment is probably the most important, central, and integral part of ballet technique, while at the same time being one of the most elusive ideas I have ever known. I have to start off by saying that the word scares me. I used to think that having correct alignment in ballet simply meant making my back stand up straight over my hips. As I became more exposed to the dance form, however, the idea snowballed into something which all other things revolve around. I have learned to think about it all the time. It haunts me while I dance, while I walk to class, while I brush my teeth, and while I sleep, and I am constantly evolving the idea into a workable and definable concept for myself. I believe correct alignment begins first with "the core," which, I think, is ironically another very elusive term in the dance world. I believe the core consists of the very deep abdominal muscles below the naval, right around the pelvis, and that those muscles must always be engaged in ballet. They should not be contracted, just engaged. I sense what I would describe as a slight "prickle" in that area when I think I feel it correctly. It should be engaged in a way that lengthens the hip flexors, bringing the pelvis to a "perfect" position, in between being tucked under and tilted forward. This spine should be stacked through the neck, the back lifted and wide, so that it sits over the pelvis, and I think the scapulae should be lowered and relaxed, in order for the rest of the back to be relaxed. Throughout all this work, I think the dancer should somehow breathe. Unfortunately, I believe I have found from experience that this is all much easier said than done, especially when we stop standing and actually start dancing. However, hopefully when all of these ideas are applied and put to work, the rest of the muscles can be used effectively in producing the beautiful dance we strive to make.