Ballet positions are the foundation of ballet training. Beginning dancers’ early ballet positions, on the other hand, rarely represent mastery. The positions correspond to the movements of the feet and arms, and they serve as a foundation for more difficult moves. The first of the ballet positions appears to be the easiest to master, but it is actually the most difficult. Perfecting form in the first position of the feet and arms allows for improved technical skills in all other positions.
The heels are brought together in the first of the ballet positions for feet. The ballet dancer’s toes are turned out with the goal of achieving a 180° angle. It takes time and effort to achieve this turnout, which necessitates the use of the hips the ballet dancer. Although turnout is not a natural standing position, it is required of all good ballet dancers in order to be considered for positions in ballet companies. The knees are literally back-to-back when turnout is perfect.
Curved arms with hands close together in front of the lower pelvis is the first of the ballet positions for arms. The palms of the hands are pointing upward, and the fingers form a gentle curve. The elbows are also bowed slightly.
The 180° turnout is maintained in the second position for feet, but the feet are spaced approximately 1 foot (0.30 m) apart. The arms remain curved, but the hands are now spaced slightly further apart. Each hand is placed in front of the thigh’s top.
The feet maintain their 180° turnout in the third position for feet. Each foot is placed in front of the other, with the heels of each meeting in the middle. With the hand flat and palm down, the left arm extends straight out from the shoulder. With the palm facing the top of the head, the right arm is raised and curved above the head.
The fourth position is only marginally different from the third. There is a distance of about 1 foot (0.30 m) between them instead of the heel touching the middle of the other foot. The right arm remains in third position, but the left arm curls inwards, forming a half circle in front of the chest.
Both feet are moved in the fifth position. The goal is to keep the feet together and maintain the 180° angle. One foot’s heel is aligned with the other’s toe. Both arms are now in a curved position above the head. In ballet positions three and four, the left arm is positioned exactly like the right arm.
A student learns to balance on toe shoes, do knee bends, and bend forward and back of the upper body from each of the positions. This type of work is usually done at the barre during ballet class. The positions are then used in choreography on a regular basis.