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Several major causes of losing balance when performing a turn (pirouette) in ballet
Created by
- Lumen
Category
- Principle
- Ballet
Main reasons why the center collapses
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Timing of Leg Position (Wind-up): When starting a rotation, if you unconsciously twist your arms or body excessively to create momentum during the preparatory wind-up, your balance will be disrupted. The lifting leg (walking leg) must reach the correct position (e.g., passé/retiré) immediately after pushing off the floor (push-off) to prevent the axis from wobbling.
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Excessive arm force: Swinging your arms too forcefully to gain rotational force causes your body's center of gravity to deviate from the vertical line. After generating momentum, your arms must immediately and neatly gather at a designated position to collect the energy into the center of your body.
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Lack of Spotting: If you fail to properly perform 'spotting'—the process of fixing your gaze on one spot and then rapidly rotating your head—you will feel dizzy and lose your balance. Your gaze must always be clearly fixed on a single point at eye level.
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Lack of Core and Pull-ups: If you do not maintain a 'pull-up' position—firmly engaging your abdominal and back muscles and lengthening your spine—and your body tilts, your axis of rotation collapses.
Effective practice methods
1.
Spotting Practice: Try repeating the exercise of slowly turning your body while looking at a single point, just like when turning in place without rotation, keeping your gaze focused for as long as possible, and then quickly returning only your head to the starting position at the very end.
2.
Balance Practice: First, try practicing standing in the final turn position (e.g., one foot on the rutiré, the standing foot on the demi-pointe) on the barre without wobbling. You must be able to hold this position comfortably before you can rotate.
3.
Step-by-step rotation practice: Rather than trying to complete a full rotation from the start, it is recommended to practice finishing with a quarter or half rotation with an accurate and clean posture, and then gradually increase the duration.