The Alignment Principles (BPTRC)

Question 1

What is the base of support?

Answer 1

Big toe, little toe, heel

Distribution of weight on the soles of the feet should be noted. Rolling in on the arches of the feet or rolling out to the border should be avoided. Generally a triangular distribution of weight on each foot is optimum.

Question 2

What is the plumb line?

Answer 2

The plumb line or imaginary straight line which runs from the head to the toes, should be maintained during movement. This line runs through the ear lobe, the centre of the shoulder, and hip, in front of the ankle and down the foot. The shoulders, hips and knees should be level.

Question 3

What is trunk or core stability?

Answer 3

Trunk or core stability requires strength, endurance and coordination of the abdominal, pelvic floor, and lower back muscles. This is important in supporting and protecting the lower back from injury, to help with general postural alignment and to allow release of the hips for a greater range of movement.

Question 4

What are reciprocal relationships?

Answer 4

For effective movement each segment of the body must be in correct relationship to its adjacent sections, good alignment relies on there being a reciprocal relationship between all body parts. Without it, a dancer will not only have poor alignment but balance will be greatly affected.

Upper body: head - neck - shoulder relationship

Lower body: hip - knee - ankle relationship

Question 5

What is the centre of gravity?

Answer 5

The centre of gravity is the point from which the weight of a body or system may be considered to act. In uniform gravity it is the same as the centre of mass.