Is There a Sixth Position in Ballet?

Ballet

Ballet has been a part of the performing arts for centuries, and is a popular form of dance that is enjoyed by many. Throughout its history, ballet has evolved from a simple folk dance to an intricate and technical art form.

One of the defining characteristics of ballet is the five classical ballet positions. These positions are known as first, second, third, fourth and fifth positions. But is there a sixth position in ballet?

The five classical positions are essential to learning ballet technique and are used throughout the discipline. Each position is a placement of the feet on the floor that creates a specific line or shape.

The feet must be in one of these positions when a dancer holds an arabesque or executes an adage, for example. In addition to being used in technique classes, these five positions are also used as reference points in choreography.

Despite their importance in classical ballet technique, there is not technically a “sixth” position. This is because the five classical positions already encompass all possible placements of the feet on the floor. Any new “position” would simply be some variation or combination of one or more of the existing ones.

That said, some modern dancers have developed what they call “sixth position” which can involve placing one foot slightly behind or ahead of the other with both heels touching or almost touching each other. This distinction is mostly for aesthetic purposes; it does not change how one must execute certain steps or techniques.

In conclusion, although there is no technical “sixth” position in classical ballet technique, some modern dancers have created variations on the existing five positions for aesthetic purposes. Ultimately, it is up to each dancer to decide whether they want to use these variations as part of their personal style.