THE 5 BALLET POSITIONS

                                           FOR THE FEET

                                         

 

First position is when feet to be flat on the floor and turned out (pointing in opposite directions as a result of rotating the legs at the hips).

 

 

 

 

Second position is when the feet point in opposite directions, with heels spaced approximately twelve inches apart.

 

 

 

 

Third position is when one foot is placed in front of the other so that the heel of the front foot is near the arch.

 

 

 

 

 

There are two types of fourth position: open and closed. In both cases, one foot is placed approximately twelve inches in front of the other. In open fourth position the heels are aligned, while in closed fourth position the heel of the front foot is aligned with the toe of the back foot. There are two variations of each type of fourth position, determined by which foot is in front.

 

 

 

 

 

Fifth position should form two parallel lines with your feet. The heel of the front foot should be in contact with the big toe of the other, and the heel of the back foot should be in contact with the last toe of the front foot.

 

 

 

 

 

                                      FOR THE HANDS

 

For the hands in first position you should hold your hands out in front of you in an oval shape.

 

 

For the hands in second position hold your arms a la seconde by raising them at your sides until they almost form a " T " 

 

 

For the hands in third position you bring one arm only in front of you, leaving the other in second position.

 

 

 

For the hands in fourth position you have one arm raised and one arm in second position. The arm that is raised should be opposite to the foot you have in front. So if your right foot is in front, you raise your left arm.

 

 

For the hands in fifth position you should raise both arms. As with all these positions, make sure that it is your arms that are raised, and NOT your shoulders. Arms should be look smooth with your elbows and hands softly rounded (and definitely no pointing). 

                                          

                                    THE EXTRA POSITIONS

 

              There are also 2 other positions which are the 6,7 positions.

 

For the sixth position your feet are just together and parallel and there are no hand movements your hands are just at your side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the seventh position your feet are similar to fourth position, but performed en pointe with heels in center with each other. There are two seventh positions, determined by whether the left or right foot is placed in front.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictures from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positions_of_the_feet_in_ballet