How to Perform Neoclassical Ballet Attitude Pointers

An attitude in a classical ballet is not a reference to the disposition of a ballerina but it's a term for a classical ballet movement. Put simply, it's an arabesque with the lifted leg bent. An attitude can be performed to the back, front or side as a standing pose or in a turn.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Standing in fifth position, raise the back leg straight back. All of your balance will be on the standing leg. Keep your chest up and supporting leg turned out.

2. Bend the knee of the lifted leg to a 90-degree angle. Keep the knee turned out to the side, lifted and your toes pointed. You can also have the lifted leg bent slightly, this is called attitude alongee (elongated).

3. Perform an attitude to the front by lifting the front leg with a bent knee, toes pointed and knee turned out. With a front attitude think about keeping your foot lifted.

4. Attitude to the side by lifting the leg to the side, knee bent and toes pointed. This time your knee will point upward with only a slight turn out.

5. Hold your arms in third position when in attitude. If your left leg is lifted then your left arm will be up over your head and your right arm out to the side. Arms are rounded and soft.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to keep your knees turned out to the sides in the front and back attitudes. It might help to find a table at the right height and put your leg in attitude on the table to get the right turn out.