Ballet Positions

“Ballet is ultimately a logical technique; it favors the shortest, most efficient route from one position into another. This factor gives an aesthetic clarity to all motions.”

-Anna Paskevska

There are five basic positions to refer to in ballet class. They are referred to as first, second, third, fourth and fifth position. They have corresponding feet and arms, and require a high neck, relaxed shoulders, straight back, straight legs and turned out feet.

First position makes a “V” position with the feet. To form the position, a dancer must place their heels together and then split their toes to point in opposite directions. This foot placement indicates turn out, just be sure not to over turn out past your hips turn out ability. To match your arms to your feet’s position, create a circle out from your belly button, having a rounded arm, and hidden thumbs, without the hands touching.

To create the second position you need to make a wide stance, again with turned out feet, and not to wide that your hips aren’t allowed their own turn out. Match your arms by extending them out to a “T” formation, rounding them slightly in front of you, with relaxed fingertips.

Third position is accomplished by pulling your feet together, one heel touching the inside of the other’s arch. It can be quickly made by sliding up one foot from the first position slightly until it reaches the arch. The arms are created by using the first position foot and making the first position arm, on just that one side, while the other extends out to the standard second position arm.

Make a fourth position by sliding one foot out from first position with turn out, leaving a twelve inch distance between each foot. In initiate the fourth position arms you have to lift your front foot’s arm to a fifth position and your back foot’s arm to a second position.

Finally, fifth position is created by turning out one foot to its direction, and the other to its, heel touching toe. In simpler terms, slide the third position heel up from the arch to the opposite foot’s toe. This position’s arms are equal to each other, and similar to first position. It is created by lifting the arms from first position, to do so extend the arms so they are nearly above your head, for extra help, touch them from your hairline, and out.

These are all five of the basic ballet positions. It is important to note that the arms should always be in front of view, with soft, separated fingers, never touching each other. There should also always be a slight curvature to them, rounding the elbows as if a marble could roll right down it, like it’s going down a slide. Also, note that over turn out is not better turn out. You want your turn out to be comfortable, yet challenging, it grows with time. Do not over power your turn out by losing the turn out from your hips, because you won’t be able to use your plie if you do that. Lastly, these are just positions, they help you prepare for extended learning in the ballet field, such as a turn, plie, arabesque, glissade and many more.

~Julia Brewer