What Are the Basic Positions of Ballet?

Ballet

Ballet is a type of performance dance that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century and later developed into a concert dance form in France and Russia. It has since become a highly technical form of dance with its own vocabulary and body positions.

Ballet is performed all over the world today, with companies founded all over Europe, North America, South America, and Asia.

The basic positions of ballet are the foundation from which all ballet steps are derived. They are used to teach proper alignment and technique to aspiring dancers so that they may move safely, efficiently, gracefully, and with the greatest artistic expression possible.

The five basic positions of ballet are known as first position, second position, third position, fourth position and fifth position. In each position a dancer stands on one leg while the other leg is extended to the side or in front or behind them.

The arms are also held in various positions depending on the exact steps being taught.

First Position: In first position both feet are placed together at hip width apart either parallel or turned out up to 45 degrees with toes pointing forward. The arms are then placed to the sides at shoulder level with fingers slightly curled.

Second Position: In second position one foot is placed directly in front of or behind the other with both feet turned out up to 45 degrees depending on personal preference. The arms are then placed directly to the side again at shoulder level with fingers slightly curled.

Third Position: In third position one foot is placed in front of or behind the other at a 90 degree angle with both feet turned out up to 45 degrees depending on personal preference. The arms again should be placed directly to the side at shoulder level.

Fourth Position: In fourth position one foot is placed directly beside the other either parallel or turned out up to 45 degrees depending on personal preference while pointing forward. The arms should be held above your head in an ‘L’ shape with fingers lightly touching.

Fifth Position: Fifth position also known as ‘en dedans’ has both feet positioned together turned out up to 90 degrees with toes pointing inward towards each other forming a V-shape. Arms should be held above your head in an ‘L’ shape again with fingers lightly touching.

These five basic positions form what is known as classical ballet technique which requires constant practice and dedication from aspiring dancers if they wish to progress further into more complex steps such as jumps and turns.

In conclusion, learning these five basic positions of ballet forms an essential part of any dancer’s training as it sets them up for success by teaching correct alignment and technique for graceful and efficient movement.