Q&A: Is it Better to Move Your Feet or Wobble in Sous-sus?

Finding your center in a sous-sus position is one of the most rewarding yet frustrating milestones for an adult ballet student. In this Q&A session, we dive deep into a common technical dilemma: when you feel yourself tipping over, should you shuffle your feet to stay upright, or is it better to let your body wobble? At Broche Ballet, we believe that understanding the "why" behind the movement is key to progress. When you are in sous-sus on a high relevé, your base of support is incredibly narrow. It is tempting to "cheat" the balance by hopping or shuffling your toes to find a new center of gravity. However, this video explains why it is actually more beneficial to keep your feet planted firmly and allow your torso and spine to do the work.

By keeping the feet still, you force your body to engage the core and manipulate the spine to find verticality. The "wobble" you feel is actually your muscles making micro-adjustments. This process trains your nervous system to recognize where your center is. If you move your feet every time you feel unstable, you never teach your body how to stay upright over a fixed point. The key is to focus on the relationship between your head and your feet. In ballet, your weight generally follows your head. If your head drifts forward, you will fall forward. Instead of moving your feet to catch yourself, learn to use your spine as a flexible pole that can adjust to keep your head directly over your base.

This lesson is essential for anyone looking to improve their stability for center work, turns, and eventually pointe work. By embracing the wobble and resisting the urge to shuffle, you build the strength and muscle memory required for a rock-solid sous-sus. Join us as we explore how to fight for your balance with grace and technical precision.