The Five Basic Ballet Positions
There are five basic leg and arm positions in ballet dancing. Each step begins and ends with one of these positions. Several steps executed one after the other form a sequence.
In the first position , the heels are together and the feet are turned out. The rotation of the hips is outward: knees and feet follow this direction.
Fingers are slightly together, hold your hands a little apart from your body.
In the second position , the feet are turned out and the heels apart a foot and a half apart.
The arms and hands should naturally extend from the shoulders in a gentle curve. Hold them lightly in front of your body, support your elbows and don't let your wrists droop.
In the third position , the heel of the front foot touches the middle of the other foot.
Bring one arm rounded in front of your body and the other outstretched to the side as in the second position. The arm should not be too far forward. This position is often used to prepare the pirouette.
In the fourth position , the feet, outside, are placed one in front of the other, but apart about the length of a foot.
Keep one arm in front of you, raise the other. This is called an alignment.
In fifth position , the feet are pressed together, the heel of the front foot against the toes of the rear foot.
Raise both arms above your head. Try to relax your shoulders so that your hands don't reflect your efforts.
