Ballet is a highly technical and complex dance form. It involves many body positions that are used to create different movements and choreography.
Although there are many different types of ballet, all of them use the same basic body positions as a foundation for their technique.
The five basic positions of the feet are one of the most important elements of ballet technique. These five positions provide the foundation for all other steps and movements in ballet. The first position, known as First Position, is achieved by placing both feet together with the heels touching and toes pointing outward in opposite directions. The second position is achieved by moving one foot slightly forward so that it is slightly off-center from the other foot.
Third Position involves bringing one foot behind the other in a diagonal line. Fourth Position involves placing both feet parallel to each other with a slight gap between them. Fifth Position requires both feet to be crossed over each other.
In addition to these five basic positions, there are several other body positions used in ballet including arabesque, plié, rond de jambe, battement, grand jeté, fouetté and entrechat.
Arabesque is a position where one leg is extended straight behind while the other leg is bent at the knee with the toe pointed toward the ceiling.
Plié is a movement which involves bending both knees deeply while keeping your torso upright.
Rond de jambe requires you to draw circles with your legs in either direction while keeping your body stationary.
Battement involves quickly extending one leg out from your body and then returning it back to its original position.
Grand Jeté, also known as a grand leap, requires you to jump into the air while also extending one leg out from your body.
Fouetté, which means “whipped” in French, requires you to whip one leg around quickly while keeping your torso stable and upright.
Entrechat is a more advanced move that requires you to jump into the air and quickly cross your legs in opposite directions.
Conclusion
In total there are eight basic body positions used in ballet: first position, second position, third position, fourth position, fifth position, arabesque, plié and rond de jambe. These eight positions provide dancers with an essential foundation for their technique and help them create beautiful shapes when performing choreography.