On Alignment

In ballet, alignment serves both structural and aesthetic functions.

The structure of the body exists in the skeleton, even without the system of muscles, tendons and ligaments to support it. The bones of the body create the frame upon which all alignment must be trained. Without the muscles and the complex processes that allow movement, our bodies are nothing but cars without driveshafts or boats without rudders. It is therefore essential to consider our physical training of paramount importance to the development of alignment.

In class we train our legs to rotate outward, our feet to support us evenly and our weight to shift over top of our supporting leg.

I find myself inquiring as to whether my knee is tracking between my first two toes and straining to hold the arch in my naturally flat feet. Between combinations I check in with my pelvis to make sure it is in the so-called "neutral" position and whether or not my abdominals are engaged to develop that proper alignment. My neck must stay long above my shoulders which remain dropped toward the back as they help to support my arms and hands in the port de bras.

All these details and more combine to achieve the most physically possible embodiment of the aesthetic norms of ballet on the natural structure of the body.

Alignment is an active process and the development of it is imperative in understanding ballet technique.

-B