How to Teach Arm Positions in Ballet

Ballet is a dance of elegance and style. The following arms positions in ballet are according to the French school of ballet technique. The dancer's arms and hands have an effortless, airy quality, which after practice and time comes naturally to a dancer. Executing correct arm positions that gracefully flow to each position is the beginning of learning the art of ballet and later capturing the attention of the audience. Read on to learn how to teach arm positions in ballet.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Place arms in front of body with hands cupped below the waist to form bras au repos or the preparatory position. Keep shoulders down and both elbows and wrists rounded.

2. Position arms in front of waist line parallel to navel to form first position in ballet. Keep shoulders pressed down. Wrists, elbows and even fingers should be rounded to form a perfect circle. Imagine arms around a giant ball then drop the ball but maintain the hold to feel the exact position of the arms.

3. Move arms to both sides of the body to form second position. Press shoulders down. Arms are perpendicular to the side of the body but gradually slopping downward to halfway between the shoulder and the waist line. If the dancer looks to the side, she sees her hand just slightly in front of torso. Maintain the same curve from the shoulder to the tip of the middle finger.

4. Keep one arm in second position and raise the other arm to overhead to form third position. The dancer should have to slightly strain to glance up at his hand and see the inside of palm, so the exact position should be at an angle to the dancer's forehead. Shoulders are pressed down, and arms and fingers are rounded into the curve.

5. Extend one arm overhead and keep the other arm in first position to form fourth position. Shoulders remain pressed down, and arms and fingers are rounded.

6. Raise the other arm to overhead to finish in fifth position of the arms in ballet. Try to keep elbows rounded into a curve with arms and fingers.

Tips & Warnings

• First position is often referred to as the "gateway" because other positions float easily and smoothly through it.

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