What Are the 5 Ballet Body Positions?

Ballet

Ballet is a beautiful form of art. It requires grace, strength, and precision.

To be able to move with the elegance and poise that ballet requires, dancers must learn the five ballet body positions. These five positions are used in all styles of ballet and provide the foundation for proper alignment.

First Position is the most basic position in ballet and serves as a starting point for all other movements. The feet are turned out in opposite directions to form a “V” shape.

The heels should be touching and the toes should be pointed away from each other. The arms are held by the sides with palms facing outwards.

Second Position is similar to first position but with a wider stance of the feet. The heels should still be touching but the toes should now be pointed away from each other at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees. The arms are held slightly away from the body at shoulder level with palms facing forward.

Third Position requires one foot to move slightly ahead of the other while still remaining on the same line with feet turned outwards as in first position. The heel of one foot should touch or almost touch the toe of the other foot, forming an inverted “V” shape with both feet pointing away from each other at an angle of forty-five degrees or more. Arms remain at shoulder level with palms facing forward as in second position.

Fourth Position requires one foot to move slightly ahead of the other while still remaining on the same line with feet turned outwards as in first position but this time forming a “T” shape instead of an inverted “V” shape as in third position. The toes of both feet should be aligned directly across from each other and arms remain at shoulder level with palms facing forward as in second and third positions.

Fifth Position is similar to fourth position but requires one foot to move much further ahead than before while still remaining on the same line as before, forming an elongated “T” shape instead of a regular “T” shape as seen in fourth position. Arms remain at shoulder level with palms facing forward as before all positions mentioned above.

Conclusion:

The five basic ballet body positions are essential for proper alignment when performing any style of ballet dance moves and steps correctly and gracefully – First Position, Second Position, Third Position, Fourth Position, and Fifth Position.