Ballet Basics and Techniques

Five Basic Positions of the Feet

• First Position
  • Heels together, toes open but not necessarily 180 degrees.
  • Keep knees over toes.
  • Engage core, open shoulders and chest.
• Second Position
  • Feet wider than hip-width, toes open wide.
  • Similar engagement and alignment as first position.
• Third Position
  • Heel to toe with both knees straight.
  • A beginner-friendly position, often used in children's classes.
  • Good starting point for beginners to work towards more complex positions.
• Fourth Position
  • Feet are open with space between the legs.
  • Can have knees straight or bent.
  • Requires engagement of core and turnout from hips.
• Fifth Position
  • Crossed toe to heel on each foot.
  • Considered more advanced, requires strong turnout and core engagement.
  • Beginners should gradually work towards a tighter fifth position.

Five Basic Positions of the Arms

• First Position
  • Arms in front as if holding a beach ball.
  • Elbows lifted, open chest, engaged posture.
• Second Position
  • Arms open to the sides, maintain peripheral vision of hands.
  • Avoid drooping elbows.
• Third Position
  • One arm stays in first, the other in second.
  • Works on both sides.
• Fourth Position
  • Lift one arm up, the other stays in second.
  • Offers variations for different sides.
• Fifth Position
  • Arms raised above head, maintain peripheral vision.
  • Avoid arching the spine.

Ballet Movements and Terms

• Plie

  • Means 'bend of the knees'.
  • Demi-Plie: Small bend with heels on the floor.
  • Grand Plie: Large bend with heels lifting off the floor.
  • Plie can be performed in various positions (first, second, fifth, fourth).

• Tendu

  • Means 'to stretch'.
  • Extending the leg with toe on the floor to front, side, or back.
  • Used frequently in warm-ups and workouts.

• Degage

  • Means 'to disengage'.
  • Lifting the leg off the floor from a tendu position.

• Releve

  • Means 'raised'.
  • Lifting onto balls of feet or full point.
  • Good for toning calves and lower body.

• Susu

  • Means 'over under'.
  • Typically performed in fifth position.
  • Engages core and tones legs.

• Cou-de-pied

  • Position of the foot at ankle.
  • Used in combination with other movements.

• Petit Battement

  • Movement of the working leg from back to front rapidly.
  • Requires control and engages core.

• Rond de Jambe

  • 'Round of the leg'. Circular motion on or off the floor.
  • Excellent for toning inner thighs and legs.

• Arabesque

  • Position with extended back leg.
  • Variations in arm positions: first, second, third.

• Pique

  • Weight transfer onto one leg, often followed by turns.

• Cambré

  • Means 'arched'.
  • Bending of the upper body; helps with posture and stretching.

• Attitude

  • Position with bent working knee.
  • Variations for front, side, and back; used in workouts for toning.

• Grand Battement

  • Large kick with straight leg.
  • Engages core and leg muscles.

Additional Concepts

• Standing Leg vs. Working Leg

  • Standing Leg: Supports weight, can be straight or bent.
  • Working Leg: Performs the movement.

• Tombé

  • Connecting step, weight transfer, often used in warm-ups.

• Balancé

  • Rocking step with a rhythmic balance between feet.
  • Good for raising heart rate and incorporating plies.

• Passé

  • 'Passed'. Position of the working foot sliding up the standing leg.
  • Used in turns and pirouettes.

• Pirouette

  • Turn on one leg, various starting positions.

• Sauté

  • Jump, multiple variations based on body position.

• Jeté

  • 'Throwing' jump, includes petite and grand variations.

These notes cover the foundational positions and movements in ballet, providing a comprehensive guide for understanding and practicing ballet techniques.