Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 3/1/2011

Question
Firstly, I'm 15 and I've been doing ballet for 7 years. I have always had a problem with my tailbone. I always have to make a conscious effort to push it in as it just naturally sticks out a lot. In order to push it in, I have to tense all the muscles in that area (glutes, quads) and I find it compromises my turnout. My teacher says that pushing my tailbone in will allow my thighs to rotate in the hip socket and therefore allow for more turnout. However, I find that it limits movement in the hip socket. When my tailbone is out my turnout is a lot better because i'm not tensing any muscles. However as you know this is not allowed in ballet and I must try as hard as possible to keep my tailbone in line with the rest of my body (which is very unnatural for me). So my question is, is there a way to keep my tailbone in without compromising my turnout? Am I using the wrong muscles? And are there any exercises to encourage my tailbone to become properly aligned with the rest of my body?

Answer
Stefana you describe this so perfectly - you clearly understand how turnout DOESN'T work.

The spine has natural curves.The tail bone doesn't stick in or out, but the entire pelvis can tip forward or back. Any tipping of the pelvis either way is incorrect.

http://balletshoesandpointeshoes.blogspot.com/2007_07_01_archive.html

explains all the details about ballet turnout. Your core muscles keep your pelvis in the right position for correct posture.

Regards, Dianne