Balance is an important aspect of Ballet. It is critical to the proper execution of steps and the maintenance of energy through out a performance. Without balance, the quality of a dancer's movement is severely impaired. To achieve balance, one must understand the concepts of Physics that govern this phenomena.
Equilibrium
In scientific parlance, Balance is called Equilibrium. This is defined as the absence of a net Force in the system, meaning the dancer is not moved by any force in any direction. Expanding this further, equilibrium in the stronger form includes the absence of a net Torque (a Force acting at a distance from a point of rotation) in the system. This means the dancer is not influenced by a rotational phenomenon.
In Ballet, the issue is really in the area of rotation. A skilled dancer is able to prevent his/her tipping sideways, forward or backward when posing on one leg. This is also the case when executing turns, the dancer wants to execute movement along the vertical axis without any rotation in the horizontal ( aka tipping or leaning). To achieve this, we have to gain a proper understanding of the Center of Mass.
Center of Mass
The Center of Mass is a point of a system that can represent all its equivalent mass. This is dependent on the weight distribution and geometry of a body. In the case of a dancer, the Center of Mass is located at the center lower abdomen above the pubis. If a leg is lifted to the side a la seconde the Center of Mass shifts toward the extended leg. When lifting the leg to the back in Arabesque, the Center of Mass shifts towards the front as the leg pushes the torso forward.
While the positioning of the limbs play a big role in the position of the Center of Mass, there are other finer aspects that play important roles. For one the stability of the internal organs influence the stability of the Center of Mass particularly during turns. The alignment and stability of the spine also plays a very important role in balance. To achieve this, the dancer has to activate the Abdominal muscles particularly the Transversus Abdominis. This requires frequent abdominal exercise to condition the abdominals to be contracted for sustained periods. Arms and head positions also have non-negligible effects to the Center of Mass.
Center of Support
Another important concept critical to Balance is the Center of Support. This is defined as the point which represents all the forces that hold the body up. When standing on 2 legs with equal weight distribution, the Center of Support is half way of the distance between the 2 legs. If the dancer leans to one leg, the center of support will move toward the leg supporting more weight. When one leg is lifted, the center of support is entirely on the supporting leg. Furthermore, it is confined to the area of contact with the floor. The Center of Support decreases as one moves from a flat foot to a demi pointe and eventually to full pointe.
Alignment
To achieve Balance, the Center of Support has to be aligned with the Center of Mass.
In dance, the challenge of Balance is usually not the presence of uncontrolled force. Instead it is the presence of unwanted Torque. The point of rotation is the Center of Support. The point of action of the Gravitational Force (aka Weight) is the Center of Mass. To eliminate torque and achieve balance, both Centers have to be completely aligned. While some are able to Balance without complete alignment, they do so with much energy lost as they have to compensate with the excess Torque.
In the leg alone, there are 4 vulnerability points as far as alignment is concerned: 1.) The toes 2.) The ankle 3.) The knees and 4.) The hip joint. By coaching the dancer to push out the arches of her feet, we usually achieve the alignment at the 1st 3 of the vulnerability points. The hip joint is trained by Cambre exercises and other conditioning regimen for the hip flexors.
At the end of the of it all, Balance is something a dancer achieves by trial and error. Learning these concepts will give a good framework to try things out more efficiently. It does however still require experimentation to tailor fit these concepts into the unique body one has.
To learn more about Ballet join our classes:
Breathe, Solenad 1, Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna - MWF 4:20-5:50 (ages 9 and up)
W 3-4, Sat 11-12nn ( ages 4-8)
Life 'N Arts, Blk 33 Lot 2 Ph 1, San Lorenzo South, Sta. Rosa, Laguna - T, Sat 3:30- 4:30pm ( ages 4-8)
T 6-7pm/Sat 2-3:30pm ( ages 9 and up)
model : Alexandra Gabrielle Obordo, Acts Manila @ Breathe, Solenad 1 , Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna
Equilibrium
In scientific parlance, Balance is called Equilibrium. This is defined as the absence of a net Force in the system, meaning the dancer is not moved by any force in any direction. Expanding this further, equilibrium in the stronger form includes the absence of a net Torque (a Force acting at a distance from a point of rotation) in the system. This means the dancer is not influenced by a rotational phenomenon.
In Ballet, the issue is really in the area of rotation. A skilled dancer is able to prevent his/her tipping sideways, forward or backward when posing on one leg. This is also the case when executing turns, the dancer wants to execute movement along the vertical axis without any rotation in the horizontal ( aka tipping or leaning). To achieve this, we have to gain a proper understanding of the Center of Mass.
Center of Mass
The Center of Mass is a point of a system that can represent all its equivalent mass. This is dependent on the weight distribution and geometry of a body. In the case of a dancer, the Center of Mass is located at the center lower abdomen above the pubis. If a leg is lifted to the side a la seconde the Center of Mass shifts toward the extended leg. When lifting the leg to the back in Arabesque, the Center of Mass shifts towards the front as the leg pushes the torso forward.
While the positioning of the limbs play a big role in the position of the Center of Mass, there are other finer aspects that play important roles. For one the stability of the internal organs influence the stability of the Center of Mass particularly during turns. The alignment and stability of the spine also plays a very important role in balance. To achieve this, the dancer has to activate the Abdominal muscles particularly the Transversus Abdominis. This requires frequent abdominal exercise to condition the abdominals to be contracted for sustained periods. Arms and head positions also have non-negligible effects to the Center of Mass.
Center of Support
Another important concept critical to Balance is the Center of Support. This is defined as the point which represents all the forces that hold the body up. When standing on 2 legs with equal weight distribution, the Center of Support is half way of the distance between the 2 legs. If the dancer leans to one leg, the center of support will move toward the leg supporting more weight. When one leg is lifted, the center of support is entirely on the supporting leg. Furthermore, it is confined to the area of contact with the floor. The Center of Support decreases as one moves from a flat foot to a demi pointe and eventually to full pointe.
Alignment
To achieve Balance, the Center of Support has to be aligned with the Center of Mass.
In dance, the challenge of Balance is usually not the presence of uncontrolled force. Instead it is the presence of unwanted Torque. The point of rotation is the Center of Support. The point of action of the Gravitational Force (aka Weight) is the Center of Mass. To eliminate torque and achieve balance, both Centers have to be completely aligned. While some are able to Balance without complete alignment, they do so with much energy lost as they have to compensate with the excess Torque.
In the leg alone, there are 4 vulnerability points as far as alignment is concerned: 1.) The toes 2.) The ankle 3.) The knees and 4.) The hip joint. By coaching the dancer to push out the arches of her feet, we usually achieve the alignment at the 1st 3 of the vulnerability points. The hip joint is trained by Cambre exercises and other conditioning regimen for the hip flexors.
At the end of the of it all, Balance is something a dancer achieves by trial and error. Learning these concepts will give a good framework to try things out more efficiently. It does however still require experimentation to tailor fit these concepts into the unique body one has.
To learn more about Ballet join our classes:
Breathe, Solenad 1, Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna - MWF 4:20-5:50 (ages 9 and up)
W 3-4, Sat 11-12nn ( ages 4-8)
Life 'N Arts, Blk 33 Lot 2 Ph 1, San Lorenzo South, Sta. Rosa, Laguna - T, Sat 3:30- 4:30pm ( ages 4-8)
T 6-7pm/Sat 2-3:30pm ( ages 9 and up)
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