Before you start please read the note (for positions from 1^st to 5^th): On your first try, don't turn out your feet too much, or you'll finish with an incorrect position. To make it easier think of your hips turning out first and keep your bum in. If all of your toes are not staying on the floor, or you knees are not completely straight, then you're doing it wrong - be very careful, when you do it wrong you might injure you knees! So it is better to learn it with a qualified instructor and when you get it right you can practice at home by yourself.

First Position is a base for many ballet moves. It's what you learn first when you decide to take ballet classes. Barre exercises, many jumps and Pointe work all start with first position. Below we'll talk about how it is supposed to be done.

First, put your left foot turned out on the floor, and then place right foot heel to heel. Keep your knees straight, heels together; big toes should point in opposite directions from each other. Feet should lay very flat on the floor.

Second position is used in many jumps and on Pointe. You can get to your Second position by Battement ten due to the side from First position. Your knees should be kept straight, big toes should point in opposite directions, and there should be a foot-sized gap between your heels. Feet should lay very flat on the floor.

Third position is used very rarely in ballet choreography or in advanced ballet classes. Most character dancers use that position.

It can be done on the left or right side.

For the right side: Put your left foot flat and turned out on the floor. Put your right foot flat and turned out on the floor in front of left foot half covering it, so you can't see the heel for your left foot. Your knees should be kept straight; big toes should point in opposite direction from each other. Feet should stay very flat on the floor.

Fourth Position is used many times in ballet class, on Pointe work and ballet choreography. This position is a base for arabesque poses. Most of pirouettes (and Fouete) start from fourth position.

To get into Fourth Position put left foot turned out on the floor then put right foot turned out on the floor in front of left foot, so toe of left foot is parallel to the heel of the right foot. The gap between left and right feet should be about the same size as your foot. Your knees should be kept straight. Feet should lay very flat on the floor.

NOTE: depending on what side you are working, put either your left foot on the front or the right one.

Most of ballet exercises start from Fifth Position. When you are just starting to learn ballet, you start most exercises from the First Position. When you get more advanced, you start most exercises from the Fifth Position.

To make this position put your left foot turned out on the floor then put your right heel in front of the left big toe, no gap needed. Toe on right foot should touch the heel of left foot. Your knees should be kept straight. Feet should lay very flat on the floor.

NOTE: depending on what side you are working, put either your left foot on the front or the right one.

That's probably the easiest ballet position. It's not used that often. Mostly it is used in modern and contemporary dance styles.

Your feet shouldn't be turned out! Big toe on your left foot should touch big toe on your right foot, and both heels should stay together. Keep your knees straight. That's it! You can practice that position by yourself without any supervision, anytime you want.