The anatomical analysis of basic stance in ballet

Year 2021, Volume: 2 Issue: 2, 169 - 178, 31.12.2021

Seda Ayvazoğlu , Gökben Feda Dündar

Abstract

Ballet education, which starts at a young age, is a long and arduous process. Intense physical work is required starting from the early stages through the entirety of a professional dancing career. During this process, uniformed incorrect executions of dance moves and moving techniques may result in various injuries of students who are in developing ages, and also may cause their dance life to end prematurely. In order to develop and execute anatomically and technically correct, and aesthetically flawless exercise movements during class sessions, a basic stance is required. This stance or posture improves body awareness and control in students, and further ensures that the necessary foundations for ballet training and technique are laid correctly. The objective of this article is to explain how basic stance is a prerequisite through out the entire course of ballet education. In basic stance the location of bones, directions of joints and functions of muscles drastically differ from a simple standing position. Also, parts of the body must harmoniously align with each other. Because of these body related factors, various anatomical data have been analyzed and many different sources on anatomical topics have been thoroughly researched and subsequently distilled into this article. While dancing, incorporating an ideal basic stance enables all organs in the body to function properly and minimizes injury risks on the skeletal and muscular systems. As a result, free expressions increase and movement performances are brought up to peak levels. And most importantly the fundamental skill for continuing a dancing career in a healthy fashion is achieved through the understanding of basic stance.

Keywords

Ballet, anatomy, ballet education

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