Alignment: the act of aligning or state of being aligned; especially: the proper positioning or state of adjustment of parts (as of a mechanical or electronic device) in relation to each other.
This is what I found when I looked on the Merriam-Webster website for the definition of alignment. It is the general idea of what being aligned in Ballet class or any dance class for that matter is for me, in one since of the word. I feel that it is the entirety of my body being within direct relation with all of its parts. The head is over the shoulders which over the rib cage (which are not open), which is over the pelvis (not over tucked and not completely released) which goes over the knees, ankles and feet. You must always be thinking of this idea, along with how your weight is distributed in your feet, and where your rotation is coming from not from the knees but from the hamstrings and hips. This idea must adjust for different positions in class especially when doing any action to the derrière. The placement of the hips and weight shift over the standing leg, and the performing leg must not open to far or lift. Another important part of alignment is proper muscle engagement. I ask myself, are my lower abdominals and side obliques actively lifting my body up and out of my hips? Alignment is not something that you have on auto pilot. Each day when you come into class you must take account of your body and find your own alignment. And not everyone has the body of a Russian ballerina, each body has its unique in both muscular and bone structure so no ones alignment is the same. The two things that I struggle with the most is finding the balance between the release and the engagement of my pelvic placement and knowing when my abdominals are not active enough. I will probably be pursuing these two things for the rest of my life!
I definitely relate to a lot of the things Elyse said. The idea of having both the actual body parts, meaning the bones and structure of the specific body part, and the muscles of my body engaged and working together is something I am always thinking about. I am constantly checking to make sure I am not overly rotated or relying on the wrong muscles to help me achieve positions or movements. I also agree with the idea of thinking about my body as a whole, instead of as separate parts. This idea helps me think about the best and most efficient way to be using my body to create the desired positions or movements.
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