Learning ideas for June 1-5: Basic Ballet Positions!

Hi Dancers! June is here already! I imagine you are enjoying the outdoors and warmer air. Hopefully you can dance in your backyard or somewhere that you are able to socially distance yourself. I also hope you are staying healthy and fit during this pandemic. I miss you all 💖💃 ~

Basic Ballet Positions

No matter how long you have been dancing or what level of dance you are in, it is always good to review and go over basic dance foundations. 

Positions of the Feet

1. First position- Heels together, and toes going outwards.

2. Second position- The feet point in opposite directions, with heels spaced approximately twelve inches apart.

3. Third position- One foot is placed in front of the other so that the heel of the front foot is near the arch.

4. Fourth position- There are two types of fourth position: open and closed. In both cases, one foot is placed approximately twelve inches in front of the other. In open fourth position the heels are aligned, while in closed fourth position the heel of the front foot is aligned with the toe of the back foot.

5. Fifth position- Fifth position should form two parallel lines with your feet. The heel of the front foot should be in contact with the big toe of the other, and the heel of the back foot should be in contact with the last toe of the front foot.

Information from wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positions_of_the_feet_in_ballet

Positions of the Arms

1. Bras bas- both arms are rounded with the fingers almost touching, both hands just in front of the hips.

2. First Position- maintaining this curved shape, arms are brought up so that the tips of the fingers are in line with the navel.

3. Second Position- arms are out to the sides, angled down and forward, with palms facing forward. Elbows are slightly lower than the shoulders, and wrists are slightly lower than the elbow.

4. Third Position- one arm is in the second position, the other is in the first position.

5. Fourth Crossed Position- one arm is in the first position, the other is rounded and raised above the head.

6. Fourth Ordinary Position-  one arm is in the second position, the other is rounded and raised above the head.

7. Fifth Position- both arms are rounded and held above and slightly forward of the head.

My favorite dance video this week: Best dance audition scene ever- Flashdance!

Here are some free workouts:

1. Join Demi Bagby for this 7 minute quarantine ab workout. Kick start your heart rate with this quick but intense ab workout (length 8:00). 

2.  Here is a cardio workout blast that uses your own body weight to ensure the best workout for your overall body. Stacey Beaman of Plyojam leads this 30 minute fun workout (length 31:04).

Free online classes:

1. Follow along Maria Khoreva for a full ballet barre class. This class includes eleven exercises that cover a complete barre workout. This is great to keep your muscles more mobile and flexible (length 48:19)

2. Let's try something new! How about some ballroom dancing? Try a quick cha-cha ballroom dance class tutorial with Paul Karmiryan. Learn how to do the hip twist chasse step (length 9:28).

3. Welcome to Broadway! Have you seen the movie or cartoon Aladdin? Here is a broadway dance tutorial from Aladdin featuring the song "Arabian Nights" (length 17:31).

4. Join Miles Keeney in this choreography from Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You". His style entails jazz and Hip hop fusion (length 25:42).