Ballet Basics
Ballet
is one of the most technical and demanding forms of dance. It can be traced back to Italy during the
Renaissance era. For many centuries
Ballet has been a large part of our culture.
In order to learn ballet, it is important to learn and be able to
identify these five positions.
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First Position (or Première) Put your heels and knees
together, toes pointed out, forming a V-shape. Your arms are softly curved
and out in front of the torso. Keep
your spine straight, and your head, back and pelvis aligned. |
(Click
for more detailed pictures) |
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Second
Position Turn your legs out from the hips and put your feet shoulder
length apart, keeping them in a V-shape.
Slightly round the arms and put them out to the sides. |
(Click for more detailed pictures) |
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Third
Position (or Troisièm) Keep your legs turned out from the hips, then cross
your front heel halfway in front of the other foot. Make sure the heel is touching at the middle of the other
foot. If the right foot is in front,
the right arm is raised overhead in a semicircle and the left arm is extended
(and vice versa). |
(Click for more detailed pictures) |
|
Forth
Position (or Quatrième) Place one foot directly in front of the other, with the
front heel directly in front of the rear toe. Keep a space of about 12 inches in between the feet. If the right foot is in front, the right
arm is raised overhead in a semicircle and the left arm is extended (and vice
versa). |
(Click for more detailed pictures) |
|
Fifth Position (or Cinquième) Place the heel of the front foot against the big toe of
the other foot. Lift your arms
overhead into a circular shape. |
(Click for more detailed pictures) |
For more information:
Created By: Whitney Schouten
Last Modified On: 06
November 2005