One thing I really struggle with in Ballet is doing pirouettes. I have always had trouble with keeping my balance and being able to do many turns. The video Jessica put on Carmen, Osiel Giros working in the studio, is incredible. Giros is able to sustain his balance after turning for a very long time. This is because of his alignment, with his pelvis and ribs being directly over his legs. He is not too far back or too far forward in his fourth position. He then takes these beautiful turns one step farther, to the air. He goes from jumping and turning with his leg in retiré to doing the same jump with his leg in arabesque. During both jumps, his alignment remains in perfect accordance with his body. It is beautiful to watch.
What I struggle with most is being able to go back to my perfect alignment between exercises. Finding my center of gravity is difficult because of the bad habits I have developed over time. With more practice I am sure I'll be able to find it more easily and naturally during class. This video shows me that it is possible to maintain alignment during a long period of time and I am hoping my work with turning will translate into my jumping exercises later as well.
I love your post. For me, I also feel that it is a mental game. To be in retiré, constantly shifting your weight... while turning.... and spotting.... is hilariously comical. And as soon as I lose my courage, I come falling down like a ton of bricks.
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